Emirates and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) have renewed their partnership, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening promotional efforts and supporting the continued growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
As one of the world’s largest international airlines, Emirates serves nearly 140 destinations across six continents. Through its extensive global network, the airline will continue promoting Sri Lanka as a tourism destination and showcasing the country’s attractions to international travellers, while supporting efforts to increase visitor arrivals.
The renewed collaboration was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), building on a partnership that was initially established in 2022. The agreement seeks to further develop the successful initiatives undertaken by both parties in previous years, with Emirates continuing to contribute to Sri Lanka’s international tourism connectivity and visitor growth.
Sri Lanka recorded more than 2.3 million international tourist arrivals last year, representing a 15.1% increase compared with the previous year, when arrivals exceeded 2 million. The latest figures highlight the continued recovery and expansion of the country’s tourism industry.
The MoU was signed during Arabian Travel Market 2026 by Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial – West Asia & Indian Ocean, and Chamila Jayarathna, Deputy Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau.
The signing ceremony was attended by Arusha Cooray, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the UAE; Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General of Sri Lanka; Madusha Perera, Deputy Director – Marketing at SLTPB; along with representatives from Emirates and Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities.
GHR Names Cricket Legend Sanath Jayasuriya as Brand Ambassador
Global Housing & Real Estate (Pvt) Ltd (GHR) has appointed Sri Lankan cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya as its Brand Ambassador, marking a new phase in the company’s journey within Sri Lanka’s luxury real estate sector.
The partnership was officially unveiled at a press conference held at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, on September 14, under the theme ‘Two Gamechangers, A New Beginning.’ The event brought together industry leaders, investors and members of the media to mark the collaboration and provide insights into GHR’s future direction.
Over the past two decades, GHR has established a presence in Sri Lanka’s property sector, with an emphasis on quality, structural standards and long-term investment value.
GHR Chairman Dasun Wickramarathna said the company has remained focused on expanding the possibilities within Sri Lanka’s property development landscape.
“For over twenty years, Global Housing & Real Estate has strived to push the boundaries of what property development can achieve in Sri Lanka. As pioneers who introduced the hotel residency concept back in 2016, our mission has always been clear: to provide high-yield investment opportunities for our clients while taking Sri Lanka’s condominium industry into a new frontier,” he said.
Commenting on the partnership, Sanath Jayasuriya said GHR’s approach to real estate had helped introduce new concepts to the local market.
“GHR challenged traditional approaches to real estate and established a new benchmark in luxury living. This partnership represents a true convergence; Two Gamechangers, A New Beginning,” he said.
Jayasuriya also revealed that GHR is preparing to introduce a major high-rise development along Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
Emirates, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Renew Partnership to Promote Tourism
