Arrivals up to August were up 14.3 percent to 711,446.
Indian arrivals, the largest source market, rose 29.2 percent to 14,528 in August showing strong growth for the second month in a row after bucking a near two year trend in lackluster performance.
Arrivals were up despite a weaker Indian rupee, which could indicate that other destinations, where greater distances are involved, have become even less affordable, analysts say.
South Asian arrivals rose 35.9 percent to 22,208 with Maldives rising 32.1 percent to 4,668 and Pakistan rising 96.5 percent.
South Asian arrivals were up 12.6 percent to 168,796 so far this year.
Arrivals from Western Europe rose 19.3 percent to 38,951, with Germany up 35 percent to 8,318 and UK, the top market from the region up 6.9 percent to 12,353.
France was up 23.1 percent to 6,738, Italy was p 18.9 percent to 2,832 and The Netherlands was up 7.6 percent to 2,100.
Western European arrivals rose 13.9 percent to 281,233 during up to August.
Middle East which was also lacklustre this year was up 75.4 percent to 8,683 in the month with visitors so far up 4.0 percent 35,931.
East Asian visitors were up 33,4 percent to 78,781, with China growing 74.6 percent to 4,098.
China had become Sri Lanka's largest source market in the region during the past 12 months, but in August the previous leader Japan, rose 33.5 percent to 4,407.
http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/news/sri-lanka-tourist-arrivals-up-26-pct-in-aug;-india,-china-surge/777527319