24 February 2026, New Delhi:

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) successfully hosted a high-profile Networking Evening on 23rd February 2026 at Hyatt Centric Janakpuri, parallel to South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2026. The event was organized with the objective of strengthening tourism ties between India and Sri Lanka by connecting the Indian travel trade and media with Sri Lankan tourism stakeholders participating at SATTE 2026.

The evening witnessed an impressive gathering of over 200 participants, including leading tour operators, travel agents, airline representatives, tourism officials, and members of the media from both countries.

Representing the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi, Mr. Geshan Dissanayake addressed the gathering and warmly welcomed the participants. He highlighted the longstanding cultural and economic ties between India and Sri Lanka and emphasized the importance of tourism in further strengthening bilateral relations.

The SLTPB delegation was led by Mr. Sanjaya Niroshana, Managing Director, along with Ms. Shirani Herath, Assistant Director, and Ms. Priyanga Subhashini, Junior Manager. In his remarks, the Managing Director reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to the Indian market and outlined strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing visitor arrivals, promoting diverse tourism experiences, and fostering stronger B2B partnerships.

Mr. Darshana Cabraal, Board Member of SLTPB, also addressed the audience, underscoring Sri Lanka’s unique offerings—from pristine beaches and heritage sites to wellness, wildlife, and culinary tourism experiences—positioning the island as a year-round destination for Indian travelers.

Adding further perspective from the Indian travel trade, Mr. Dinesh Kumar, Chairman of the Northern India Chapter of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), shared his positive sentiments about Sri Lanka as a preferred outbound destination for Indian tourists. He encouraged continued collaboration between the two nations’ travel industries to unlock new growth opportunities.

Mr. Fawzan Fareid, Regional Manager – India, Bangladesh & Nepal of SriLankan Airlines, also addressed the gathering, reaffirming the airline’s strong connectivity between key Indian cities and Colombo, and its continued support towards boosting tourism flows between the two countries.

The Networking Evening provided a dynamic platform for meaningful engagement, enabling direct interaction between Indian buyers, media representatives, and Sri Lankan exhibitors ahead of SATTE 2026. The event further reinforced India’s position as one of Sri Lanka’s key source markets and demonstrated SLTPB’s proactive efforts in strengthening market presence through strategic partnerships and targeted promotions.

The evening was further elevated by a captivating cultural performance by Chandana Wickramasinghe’s Dancers Guild, whose vibrant and graceful Sri Lankan dance presentations added color and glamour to the occasion, showcasing the island’s rich cultural heritage.

India continues to remain Sri Lanka’s number one source market for tourism arrivals, and SLTPB reiterated its strong commitment to maintaining and further strengthening this position. Through strategic trade engagement, enhanced connectivity, and sustained promotional initiatives, Sri Lanka aims to continue welcoming a growing number of Indian travellers in 2026 and beyond.

The Networking Evening successfully set the tone for Sri Lanka’s participation at SATTE 2026 and reaffirmed India’s position as a key source market for Sri Lanka Tourism. SLTPB remains committed to strengthening partnerships with the Indian travel trade and media to drive sustained tourism growth.