Sri Lanka recorded 119,670 tourist arrivals by 23 October, pushing the total number of visitors for 2024 to 1,845,164, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Despite the steady growth, the All-Island Association of Small and Medium Tourism Entrepreneurs says the country is not keeping pace in providing essential tourist facilities. 

The association’s chairman, Sameera Senaka de Silva, stressed the need for a clear and urgent plan to improve tourism infrastructure to support the rising influx of visitors.