Sri Lanka welcomed its largest-ever privately organised Japanese visitor delegation, as more than 250 travellers arrived in Colombo through the Little Japan initiative, a landmark moment for tourism and bilateral cooperation between the two nations. 

The arrival marks the culmination of months of planning under the campaign banner “Japan Returns to Sri Lanka”, and is being positioned as a defining moment in the renewal of people-to-people, cultural and commercial ties between Japan and Sri Lanka. Organisers say the scale of the delegation reflects the growing confidence of Japanese travellers and businesses in Sri Lanka as a destination, and opens the door to further collaboration across tourism, trade and investment in the months ahead. 

Arai Koyo (Sam San), Tour Leader of the Japanese delegation, said: “Sri Lanka has a warmth and richness that is increasingly hard to find, and it is drawing serious attention from Japan. Beyond its beauty, we see a country ready to build genuine, long-term partnerships with Japanese businesses and travellers alike. Bringing a delegation of this size here is our way of showing that this interest is real, and we look forward to seeing where the relationship goes from here.” 

The delegation was brought together through Little Japan, a platform founded by Dr. Ruwan Perera, Chairman of Colombo International Airport Hotel, to connect Japanese visitors, businesses and institutions with Sri Lankan destinations, enterprises and communities. Having lived and worked in Japan for several years, Dr. Perera brings a first-hand understanding of the Japanese market, and has built Little Japan into one of the leading private platforms driving Japan–Sri Lanka engagement – growing from a 45-member business delegation in 2024 to today’s group of over 250 visitors. 

The arrival was further marked by the presence of Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Deputy Minister of Aviation, underscoring the national significance of the visit and the government’s support for deepening tourism links between the two countries. The Deputy Minister acknowledged Dr. Perera’s efforts in driving the Little Japan initiative, describing it as a valuable contribution to strengthening ties between Sri Lanka and Japan. 

Dr. Ruwan Perera, Founder of Little Japan, said: “A delegation of this size does not come together by chance – it reflects years of relationship-building between Little Japan and our partners in Japan. Our focus now shifts to what comes after this visit: translating this goodwill into concrete tourism and business outcomes for both countries.” 

Colombo International Airport Hotel, a Japanese-supported hospitality investment near Bandaranaike International Airport, hosted the delegation’s arrival and is serving as its gateway throughout the visit – underscoring the hotel’s role in welcoming large-scale international groups and business travellers to Sri Lanka. 

The visit was celebrated at a press conference where representatives of Little Japan and Colombo International Airport Hotel outlined the significance of the delegation and the opportunities it is expected to create for deeper tourism, trade and cultural exchange between Japan and Sri Lanka in the years ahead.