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Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) recently partnered with leading hotel chain Thema Collection to host “Positioning Sri Lanka as a Sustainable Wellness Destination” forum, exploring strategies to strengthen Sri Lanka’s wellness tourism offering and expand into new source markets. Deputy Minister of Tourism (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe and Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ruth Baird joined government representatives, industry leaders and academia to discuss how Sri Lanka could best leverage wellness tourism for greater competitiveness. MDF also shared insights from its study on Japan’s outbound wellness tourism market.
Global trends point to travellers increasingly seeking destinations offering authentic experiences centred around wellbeing, nature, culture and sustainability. Ayurvedic practices have been part of Sri Lanka’s indigenous wellbeing and medical heritage for over 2,000 years. Travellers are increasingly drawn to this, with Sri Lanka coming in first in the 2026 BookRetreats Wellness Destination Index.
Delivering the keynote address at the event Deputy Minister of Tourism (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe, emphasised the government’s commitment:
“Sri Lanka has all the elements to become a globally recognised wellness destination, from our Ayurvedic heritage to our culture and hospitality. Our focus is on creating the right policy environment and strengthening collaboration between government and industry so that wellness tourism becomes an important driver of investment, market diversification and sustainable economic growth.”
Thema Collection, which currently has 17 properties in its chain, including two Ayurvedic properties, shared insights from its sustainability journey, focusing on how responsible business practices can enhance guest experience and contribute to long-term business resilience and destination competitiveness.
Chandra Wickramasinghe, Chairman of Thema Collection, noted that,
“At Thema Collection, we believe wellness and sustainability are inseparable. Authentic wellness experiences begin with healthy ecosystems, thriving communities, and respect for local heritage. By embedding sustainability into every aspect of our operations, we are not only creating meaningful experiences for our guests, but also contributing to Sri Lanka’s position as a world-class wellness destination.”
MDF launched the findings from its recent assessment of Japan’s outbound wellness tourism market, highlighting traveller motivations and emerging opportunities to tap into the growing wellness-conscious segment. Participants also heard from industry experts on the role of sustainability in shaping wellness tourism experiences and then joined a high-level panel discussion on the role of collaboration – among government, industry and development partners – in unlocking opportunities.
Australia, through MDF, has been working with tourism partners to strengthen sustainable tourism as a pathway to competitiveness and resilience. MDF has identified wellness tourism as an avenue to diversify beyond traditional source markets and attract higher-value visitors, shifting Sri Lanka from a seasonal destination to a year-round one. This has included supporting partners to target wellness travellers from new source markets such as Japan, Australia and the Middle East.
MDF has invested with Thema Collection to assess its carbon footprint, and Thema is now one of the first hotel chains in Sri Lanka to complete independently verified, portfolio-wide carbon calculations. Thema also operates sustainability programmes focused on environmental protection, community support and responsible tourism. It is now looking at new ways to develop wellness experiences that build on Sri Lanka’s natural and cultural strengths.
Speaking at the event, Australian Deputy High Commissioner Ruth Baird shared that,
“Global travellers are increasingly choosing destinations that combine authenticity, wellbeing and sustainability. Australia has been a steadfast partner in supporting Sri Lanka’s economic development, particularly in the tourism sector. Through MDF, we are working with businesses to build on their sustainable practices, improve competitiveness, and respond to changing global demand. Wellness tourism offers an opportunity to attract visitors to Sri Lanka, generating economic opportunities while still protecting the natural and cultural assets that make Sri Lanka truly unique. Forums such as today provide an important platform to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and identify practical actions that will help create solutions that are locally driven and sustainable over the long term.”
As Sri Lanka seeks to diversify its tourism offering and compete in an evolving global marketplace, the dialogue reinforced that wellness tourism represents more than a niche market. It is an opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s unique identity, attract high-value visitors, and create sustainable economic growth that benefits businesses and communities. (HG)
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MONETABRIEF – SriLankan Airlines which made a 12.5 billion rupee operational loss, ended up with a 35 billion rupee loss in the June quarter due to the collapse of the rupee, data in a Finance Ministry report showed.
Sri Lanka Airlines revenue had increased to 82.8 billion rupees from 62.6 billion rupees a year earlier amid the Middle East war. Aircraft were diverted through longer routes and some flights were cancelled.
Expenditure had soared 40 percent to 95.2 billion rupees from April to June.
Fuel costs rose 93 percent to 41.2 billion rupees.
The operating loss before exchange losses were 12.5 billion rupees.
“The company’s financial performance was further adversely affected by foreign exchange movements,” the Finance Ministry said.
The loss before tax was 35.6 billion rupee rupee, up from 12 billion rupees last year.
Depreciation inflates the value of legacy debt creating forex losses.
Central bank depreciation also inflates the cost of lease payments which are made in foreign exchange.
Depreciation and the inflation that follows, also makes air travel less affordable to domestic passengers and they may lose business.
Indian private airlines have gone under in periods of steep depreciation in the past.
Airlines based in countries like Dubai or Qatar (which used Indian rupees in the past but shifted to currency boards as macro-economists carried out the first devaluation in the 1960s) do not face the problem.
Sri Lanka’s central bank busted the rupee to 330 to the US dollar, pushing up inflation to 8.3 percent so far.
Unlike in the past the currency collapse in 2026 was engineered by dishonoring notes created by monetizing dollar purchase (actions of the International Operations Department and not Domestic Operations as in the past).
The rupee was debased amid a budget surplus, an excuse the central bank has given since February 1952 for monetary instability created mainly through domestic operations.
Sri Lankan Airlines has received a 30 million US dollar cash injection in May 2026, soon after a 175 million dollar bond was taken over by the tax-payer, a Treasury report showed.
ECONOMYNEXT — Nearly half of young Sri Lankans would leave the country if given the opportunity, even as a large majority report a strong sense of national belonging, according to findings from a nationwide survey.
The “My Sri Lanka | Next” study, conducted by Global Unites South Asia in partnership with the Centenary Movement, surveyed 2,418 respondents across all 25 districts alongside 22 provincial consultations to capture the concerns of Gen Z and younger Millennials.
The survey found that 80 percent of respondents identify primarily as Sri Lankan, and 73.7 percent feel a strong national belonging. However, 49.1 percent stated they would leave Sri Lanka if given the opportunity. Among Gen Z respondents alone, the desire to migrate reached 52.7 percent. Even among those who felt strong national belonging, 42.4 percent expressed a willingness to leave.
The findings point directly to worsening living conditions, job scarcity, and economic uncertainty as the main drivers pushing youth abroad.
Speaking at the launch, Prashan De Visser, Founder and President of Global Unites, warned that Sri Lanka must urgently address youth grievances before historical patterns re-emerge:
“As we look at Sri Lanka, our initial studies showed that almost every 15 to 18 years, we’ve experienced cycles of violence. And we are sitting at an 18-year mark.”
Economic pressure was reported as widespread, with 69.8 percent of respondents stating they are financially stressed or struggling, and 16.6 percent struggling to afford basic essentials. Financial stress peaked at 84.3 percent in the Northern Province and 78.3 percent in the Eastern Province, compared to 63.5 percent in the Western Province.
The report also showed that exposure to discrimination significantly increases the intent to leave. Among respondents who experienced discrimination, 55.8 percent were willing to emigrate, compared with 37.0 percent of those who did not report discrimination.
Addressing the assembled civic leaders, De Visser stressed that the country must build an environment where the younger generation can thrive:
“Sri Lanka deserves better. Our children deserve better. We have the power to be part of that change, and that is what today is all about,” he said.
The survey authors emphasized that intent to leave does not measure actual departures, but reflects an urgent need to make a viable future possible within the country.
A contingent of officers and men from the Maldives Police Service is undergoing training in Sri Lanka. An eight week long Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) training programme began on 2 Nov for 36 personnel. The elite Police Special Task Force (STF) is conducting the SWAT training.
The Sri Lankan mission in the Maldives said that the specialised training programme, which resumed after a gap of 13 years, is designed to enhance the officers’ tactical competencies, operational capabilities and law enforcement knowledge. Drawing on the expertise and experience of the STF, the programme would equip the participating officers with valuable knowledge and practical skills to further strengthen their operational readiness.
The mission said: “This initiative reflects the longstanding friendship and close cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Maldives, particularly in the field of security sector capacity-building. It also underscores Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to supporting the professional development of the Maldives Police Service through specialised training and knowledge-sharing.
A ceremony was held on 29 October 2026 ahead of the officers’ departure to Sri Lanka, with the participation of High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassen; Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohamed; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Farhad Fikry; and other senior officials of the Maldives Police Service.
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