Sri Lanka Explores Skydiving to Boost Adventure Tourism 📈

Sri Lanka is evaluating the feasibility of introducing skydiving as a niche attraction to diversify its tourism sector. A high-level meeting was held on 05 February 2026 at the Ministry of Defence to discuss regulatory and operational frameworks. • Core Development: Representatives from Skydive Sri Lanka presented a detailed proposal to the Ministry of Defence, highlighting the potential for skydiving to attract high-spending adventure travelers and enhance the national tourism portfolio. • Regulatory Oversight: Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) directed officials to conduct a comprehensive assessment focusing on safety protocols, civil aviation regulations, and operational logistics before formal approval. • Economic Context: The move aligns with Sri Lanka's goal to reach 3.0 million arrivals in 2026. The adventure tourism market is projected to be a significant contributor, with industry forecasts estimating the segment could reach US$ 780 million by the end of 2025. • Key Stakeholders: The discussion involved the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tourism to ensure a multi-sectoral approach to implementation. _Note: Project is currently in the feasibility study phase based on provisional reports._