By April 2026, foreign remittances earned by Sri Lankan migrant workers reached a high of USD 767.9 million. This marks a 19% growth compared to the previous year, where the foreign exchange remittance inflow for April 2025 stood at USD 646 million. According to Central Bank of Sri Lanka data, the country has received USD 3,062.8 million in remittances within the first four months of 2026 alone.

Guided by the foreign policies adopted by the Sri Lankan government—such as establishing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with foreign nations, introducing new job markets for skilled workers, and implementing welfare benefits for migrant laborers—more Sri Lankans are being encouraged to pursue overseas employment.

Consequently, the number of individuals who left for foreign employment during the first four months of 2026 stands at 79,954. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) noted that the majority of these individuals, totaling 17,012, departed for jobs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Notably, 2025 also marked a significant milestone in Sri Lankan history, recording the highest-ever annual foreign remittance inflow of over USD 8 billion.