Colombo International Airport Hotel, through its cultural exchange platform Little Japan, is set to welcome one of the largest privately organised Japanese visitor delegations in Sri Lanka’s history, with over 250 travellers scheduled to arrive in late August for a multi-day tour across the island.
The delegation is organised by Dr. Ruwan Perera, Chairman of Colombo International Airport Hotel and a long-standing advocate of Japan-Sri Lanka relations.
Having lived in Japan for more than half his life, Dr. Perera, an IT professional holding several global patents, has been instrumental in strengthening ties between the two countries. His personal connection with Japan has developed into more than a decade of sustained engagement, positioning Little Japan as a platform for tourism, trade and investment cooperation.
This year’s delegation, comprising more than 250 members, is the largest organised by the initiative so far, representing over a five-fold increase in scale.
Dr. Perera’s efforts extend beyond tourism and trade into philanthropy. He has supported the development of over 50 schools across Sri Lanka, while during the pandemic he organised a delegation of 40 Japanese doctors and nurses who donated more than Rs. 10 Mn and over 800kg of essential medicines to Colombo General Hospital.
The delegation will be based in Colombo for arrival and departure, with the wider itinerary covering several destinations across Sri Lanka. The programme is being organised under the campaign banner “Japan Returns to Sri Lanka”, marking a renewed chapter in travel and trade ties between the two countries.
Little Japan Founder and Colombo International Airport Hotel Chairman Dr. Ruwan Perera said, “This is more than a tour. It is a statement of confidence in Sri Lanka from Japan’s travel and business community. Bringing over 250 visitors together is a meaningful step in rebuilding the people-to-people and commercial ties between our two countries, and Little Japan is proud to be the platform that makes it possible.”
Both organisations remain committed to further strengthening engagement with Japanese travellers, investors and institutions in the years ahead.
