STORY AND PICTURES BY – HERBERT PERERA – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF – DISCOVERY SRI LANKA
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 30 August 2026 –
Sri Lanka welcomed its largest-ever privately organised Japanese visitor delegation on August 30 as more than 250 travellers arrived in Colombo through the Little Japan initiative, in what organisers are calling 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 growing confidence among 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 interest is real, and we look forward to seeing where this 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. It is significant that Dr. Perera lived and worked in Japan for several years, giving him 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 250+ strong visitor group.
The arrival was also 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 also acknowledged Dr. Ruwan Perera’s efforts in driving the Little Japan initiative, describing it as a valuable contribution to strengthening ties between Sri Lanka and Japan.
Little Japan, Founder, Dr. Ruwan Perera, 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 delegation’s arrival was marked at a press conference held today, where representatives from Little Japan and Colombo International Airport Hotel outlined the significance of the visit and the opportunities it is expected to create for deeper tourism, trade and cultural exchange between Japan and Sri Lanka in the years ahead.
About Colombo International Airport Hotel
Colombo International Airport Hotel is a Japanese-supported hospitality property near Bandaranaike International Airport, serving as a gateway for international delegations, transit travellers and business visitors entering Sri Lanka.
About Little Japan
Little Japan is a platform connecting Japanese visitors, businesses and institutions with Sri Lankan destinations, enterprises and communities, fostering cultural exchange, tourism and bilateral business ties. Founded by Dr. Ruwan Perera, the initiative has grown from facilitating smaller business delegations to organising some of the largest privately-led Japanese visitor programmes in Sri Lanka, and continues to serve as a bridge between the travel, cultural and commercial communities of both countries. Little Japan is an initiative of Colombo International Airport Hotel.
Television Interview with Dr. Ruwan Perera
Television Interview with the Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku
Arriving the Japanese Delegation to the hotel
Dr. Ruwan Perera in conversation with one of the delegates
Japanese Delegation Arriving the hotel
Dr. Ruwan Perera with an invitee
Dr. Ruwan Perera - Chairman, Colombo International Airport Hotel posed for a picture at the lobby.
Japanese Delegates serving dinner
Dr. Ruwan Perera in a discussion with two delegates on stsge
Japanese Delegstes enjoying the event
