PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) recently hosted a high-profile Networking Evening in Delhi, parallel to South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2026. The event was organised 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 organisers said, adding that the evening had 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, Geshan Dissanayake highlighted the longstanding cultural and economic ties between India and Sri Lanka and emphasised the importance of tourism in further strengthening bilateral relations.
The SLTPB delegation was led by the managing director, Sanjaya Niroshana along with assistant director Shirani Herath and junior manager Priyanga Subhashini. In his remarks, the MD 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.
The board member of SLTPB, Darshana Cabraal 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 travellers.
Adding further perspective from the Indian travel trade, the chairman of the Northern India Chapter of the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Dinesh Kumar 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.
The regional manager – India, Bangladesh & Nepal of SriLankan Airlines, Fawzan Fareid 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 colour 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, the organisers noted and added that SLTPB remains committed to strengthening partnerships with the Indian travel trade and media to drive sustained tourism growth.
