Sri Lanka, July 21 -- Sri Lanka's tourism sector recorded a crucial shift in its source market dynamics, with China climbing to the third position in cumulative arrivals for the year, even as the overall numbers experienced a marginal dip in the first half of July.

According to the latest Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority data, the island welcomed 90,122 international visitors during the first 15 days of July 2026, averaging 6,008 daily arrivals. This reflects a slight 3.04 percent contraction, compared to the 92,951 tourists recorded during the exact same 15-day period in 2025.

The moderation observed in early July mirrors a broader, minimal adjustment in the long-term momentum. Total cumulative tourist arrivals from January 01 ...