Sri Lanka must urgently reposition itself to capture a larger share of India’s rapidly expanding outbound travel market, Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said, noting that while 32.7 million Indians travelled abroad in 2025, only over 531,000 visited Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the Global Innovation & Leadership Summit in Colombo under the theme “The Island where India feels at home,” Prof. Ranasinghe said there is a clear gap in Sri Lanka’s tourism strategy toward India.
“I feel something is wrong here, and I think there is something to be fixed, which will be our focus in the years to come,” he said, emphasising that Sri Lanka’s geographic proximity and cultural ties with India should naturally make it a preferred destination.
The summit, organised by Zee Media Corporation and WION, was held at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, bringing together policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, and entrepreneurs from both countries to explore deeper economic and strategic cooperation.
Prof. Ranasinghe described Indian tourists as a key pillar of Sri Lanka’s tourism sustainability, highlighting their role in maintaining steady arrivals and reducing seasonal fluctuations across other source markets.
He further outlined a broader vision for bilateral cooperation, suggesting that Sri Lanka and India have the potential to evolve into a unified economic zone driving growth in the Global South. He identified agriculture, marine industries, and the creative economy as sectors with strong future potential.
The Deputy Minister also noted Sri Lanka’s unique tourism offering, where visitors can experience heritage, nature, wellness, and adventure within a single destination—an advantage over many competing markets.
He added that India remains the top outbound destination for Sri Lankans, particularly for Buddhist pilgrimage tourism, reflecting the deep historical, cultural, and spiritual ties between the two countries.
NCE pays tribute to founding president and past leaders
The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) marked its 40th anniversary by paying tribute to its past presidents, with special recognition given to Founder President and President Emeritus the late Patrick Amarasinghe, whose initiative in establishing the Chamber in 1986 laid the foundation for four decades of organised representation for Sri Lanka’s export sector.
The tribute was held during the Chamber’s 40th Annual General Meeting and anniversary celebration on 27 March 2026, acknowledging the collective contributions of all past presidents who, over successive terms, worked closely with governments, engaged policymakers, and advocated for an enabling environment for export growth in Sri Lanka.
Amarasinghe founded the NCE at a time when Sri Lanka’s exporters lacked a unified platform to represent their interests. As an established exporter himself, having built Woodplex from a small operation into an internationally recognised award-winning business, he recognised the need for a collective voice for the sector. His vision was to bring exporters together under one organisation that could engage with the State, address industry challenges, and advocate for policies aligned with global market realities.
Serving as Founder President for a record 15 years from 1986 to 2002, he established the Sri Lanka Exporter Magazine, launched the Annual NCE Export Awards in 1992, and served on the boards of the Export Development Board and the Board of Investment, ensuring exporter representation at national level. He was also awarded the national honour of Deshabandu in recognition of his socioeconomic contributions.
The NCE and the wider export community noted that the Chamber’s strength lies in the foundations laid at its inception, as well as the continued commitment of successive leaders who built upon that legacy.
Accordingly, the anniversary recognition extended to all past presidents, acknowledging that the NCE’s present standing is the result of sustained leadership across multiple generations. Successive presidents continued to strengthen government engagement, guide the Chamber through economic challenges, and expand its support for exporters across diverse sectors.
The Chamber noted that the tribute reflects appreciation for their enduring legacy, which continues to guide its work in supporting exporters and contributing to national economic growth.
Sri Lanka urged to tap into India’s outbound travel boom, says Tourism Deputy Minister
