Overview

• President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is elevating casinos as a core plank of post-crisis growth to draw high-rollers from India and China.
• Parliament approved a Gambling Regulatory Authority, a move praised by officials for revenue and safeguards but criticized for broad ministerial powers, lottery exclusions, missing tourism representation, and low penalties.
• The $1.2 billion City of Dreams in Colombo, a John Keells–Melco joint venture, features 800 rooms, a luxury mall, and conference facilities aimed at higher-spending visitors.
• Officials expect India to be the main source market over the next decade, with Indians accounting for nearly a quarter of last year’s arrivals and Chinese visitors at 7%, both benefiting from visa-free entry.
• Sri Lanka’s central bank now projects about 4.5% growth this year after an IMF-supported stabilization, with debt repayments to creditors scheduled to resume in 2028.