Amidst a challenging economic landscape, Sri Lanka witnessed a remarkable turnaround in the fourth quarter of 2023, driven by a surge in tourism arrivals.
The government’s announcement on Saturday highlighted a collective 4.5 per cent expansion in agriculture, industries, and services, marking a stark contrast to the previous year’s significant contraction. While this resurgence paints a hopeful picture, the overall performance for 2023 still reflects a 2.4 per cent shrinkage, a slight improvement from the previous year’s downturn.
Notably, the influx of tourists in December doubled compared to the previous year, reaching 210,000 visitors. Currently, Sri Lanka is navigating a four-year $2.9 billion bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund and engaging in discussions for debt restructuring with foreign creditors.
Reflecting on the tumultuous economic events of 2022, the country grappled with shortages and civil unrest, leading to a change in leadership.
Since then, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has implemented measures to stabilize state revenue, including tax adjustments and subsidy removals.