SriLanka, Oct. 1 -- Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals rose 0.4 percent in the first 27 days of September when compared to the same period last year, as a strong growth from Japan and Australia put the month on course to end three consecutive months of decline, as per the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority data.

The island welcomed 143,623 tourists between September 01 and 27, against 143,085 over the same days last year.

To surpass last September's 158,971, it needs a further 15,348 arrivals over the final three days, fewer than the 15,886 it welcomed over the same three days in 2025. That would mark its first monthly increase since May.

Japan sent 5,187 holidaymakers, already exceeding last September's full-month total of 4,137 and r...