Nine international passenger ships are anticipated to arrive in Sri Lanka by March of next year, boosting the nation's tourism industry and bringing in much-needed foreign cash.

Nimal Siripala de Silva, the minister of ports, shipping, and aviation, stated in a speech to the legislature that Sri Lanka welcomed its first foreign cruise ship with 880 passengers last week since the COVID-19 outbreak started. On November 28, another ship carrying 3,000 passengers is expected to touch down at Colombo Port.

   The COVID-19 pandemic, political unrest, and recent rebellion caused the tourism sector to collapse, but currently, there is a favorable trend, the minister said, adding that strengthening the foreign currency is necessary to stabilize the country's economy.