: Tourist hubs like Kandy were fully operational and considered safe for international travelers, with authorities focusing on normalization and comfort for visitors. Climate & Weather Overview Sri Lanka Country Report 2026 - Bti-project.org
In March 2023, Kandy , Sri Lanka, experienced a pivotal month marked by a significant and ideal travel conditions . This period saw the city transitioning into a more stable environment for visitors following a challenging economic era, while maintaining its reputation as a premier destination in the Hill Country. Economic & Political Context
: The majority of visitors came from Europe (58.9%), particularly from Russia, the UK, Germany, and France, followed by India as the largest single inbound market. Kandy – March 2023
: To meet IMF conditions, the government implemented austerity measures, including rolling back energy subsidies and increasing taxes, which led to rising electricity costs during this period. Tourism & Travel Trends
: On March 20, 2023, the IMF officially approved a $2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility for Sri Lanka. This triggered essential economic reforms and provided the necessary foreign exchange to stabilize the country's finances. : Tourist hubs like Kandy were fully operational
The tourism sector in Kandy saw a notable resurgence during this month:
: Nationwide, tourist arrivals reached 125,495 in March 2023, a significant 17.8% increase compared to the previous year. Economic & Political Context : The majority of
: The stabilization of the currency and the IMF deal began to ease the acute shortages of fuel and medicine that had plagued the country earlier in the year.