Sri Lanka expects record worker remittances in 2026

COLOMBO, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka is expected to record its highest-ever annual foreign worker remittances by the end of 2026, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe said on Monday.

Wickramasinghe told journalists that remittances reached 3.06 billion U.S. dollars in the first four months of 2026.

Sri Lanka recorded 2.4 billion dollars in worker remittances during the same period in 2025, which was hitherto the highest figure, he said.

Wickramasinghe attributed the increase to higher basic salaries for Sri Lankan migrant workers, stronger international recognition of the country's foreign employment sector following measures introduced by the new government, and expanded welfare facilities for workers.

He said remittances had continued to rise despite conflicts in parts of the Middle East, a key destination for Sri Lankan migrant workers.

Remittances are one of the key foreign revenue generators for Sri Lanka. Enditem