📈 Tourism Revenue Figures More Accurate, Not Lower: Minister

Sri Lanka’s tourism revenue data reflects improved statistical accuracy rather than an actual drop in earnings, Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath informed Parliament. • Data Calibration: Previous revenue figures relied on limited survey samples that tended to overstate foreign visitor spending. The adoption of internationally accepted scientific survey methods now provides a more realistic and precise picture of the industry’s economic impact. • Leakage Concerns: MP Ravi Karunanayake highlighted that tourist credit card transactions frequently bypass the local network via foreign gateways, causing an estimated 2.5% loss in foreign exchange inflows. • Policy Interventions: The government is actively addressing revenue leakage by introducing legal and technological frameworks through the national budget. Key priorities include taxing international digital platforms and integrating foreign payment applications into the local network to retain more foreign exchange within Sri Lanka. _Note: This adjustment corrects previously flawed data collection methods to stabilize reporting for the tourism sector, a critical pillar for national employment and foreign exchange._