• SLBFE says $ 3.06 b in Jan-Apr alone 

Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), Koshala Wickramasinghe stated that Sri Lanka is expected to record the highest volume of migrant worker remittances in its history by the end of this year. Wickramasinghe noted that migrant worker remittances had reached US$ 3.06 b during the first four months of 2026, and that the projection is based on this performance.

He made these remarks while addressing a press conference held at the Bureau on Monday (25). He further stated that the highest annual migrant remittance inflow in Sri Lanka’s history was recorded last year. In comparison, remittances during the first four months of 2026 have already surpassed the US$ 2.4 b recorded during the corresponding period in the previous year, reaching US$ 3.06 b. Based on these trends, he expressed confidence that total remittances for 2026 could exceed US$ 9 b.

Wickramasinghe also noted that despite ongoing conflict conditions in the Middle East, factors such as increased basic wages for workers, improved confidence in Sri Lanka’s foreign employment sector due to policy measures introduced by the new Government, and enhanced welfare support for migrant workers have contributed to the increase in remittance inflows.