The Kandy Esala Perahera has emerged as an international tourist attraction this year, providing fresh momentum to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. While the number of foreign tourists arriving to witness the pageant continues to grow, the arrival of several tourist groups from Myanmar has emerged as a notable feature of this year’s festival.
Wind & Waves Travels has played an active role in organizing these tour programmes, which are designed not only to allow visitors to witness the Kandy Esala Perahera but also to experience Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage, historical sites and natural beauty.
According to the company, a large number of Myanmar tourists have so far arrived in Sri Lanka through its tour programmes, with ten groups visiting the country on ten separate occasions.
The development is particularly significant given the longstanding religious and cultural ties between the peoples of Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Paying homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic, witnessing the Kandy Esala Perahera and exploring Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage have become key highlights of the tours.
Commenting on the development, Wind & Waves Travels Managing Director Lakith Nandi Dharmaratne said the Esala Perahera provides a unique opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage to an international audience.
“The Esala Perahera is a unique opportunity to showcase our country’s cultural heritage to the world. For the people of Myanmar in particular, Sri Lanka has a very close religious and cultural connection. Therefore, witnessing the Kandy Esala Perahera is a spiritual and cultural experience that goes far beyond an ordinary travel experience,” he said.
Mr. Dharmaratne said the company’s objective was to ensure that the benefits of tourism reached different parts of the country by designing tour programmes that take visitors beyond Kandy and the Esala Perahera.
“From the moment a tourist arrives in Sri Lanka until the time they return home, every experience becomes part of their memory of the country. As a tourism service provider with extensive experience in the industry, our responsibility is not simply to organize a tour, but to provide an experience that builds trust, affection and a desire to return to Sri Lanka,” he added.
The benefits of these tourist arrivals are not confined to Kandy but extend to many parts of the island, creating economic opportunities for a wide range of sectors, including hotels, transportation, food and beverage services, tour guides, souvenir businesses and other tourism-related services.
According to data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, the country recorded 2,362,521 tourist arrivals in 2025, representing a 15.1% increase compared with 2024. Data from the authority also shows that 1,343,418 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka between January and July 2026.
The growth in tourism also makes an important contribution to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. According to a Reuters report, Sri Lanka’s tourism revenue had reached around US$1.5 billion by July 2026.
This year’s Kandy Esala Perahera is being held from August 18 to 28, providing a major platform for showcasing Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural heritage to an international audience.
With more than 30 years of experience in the tourism industry, Wind & Waves Travels remains committed to promoting Sri Lanka as a tourism destination through customized tour packages, tour guidance and a range of other tourism services tailored to the needs of both foreign and local visitors.
