Sri Lanka, Oct. 2 -- The tourism sector in Sri Lanka welcomed one hundred fifty-eight thousand five hundred fifty-seven visitors in September, missing the previous year's record by just four hundred fourteen arrivals.

An increase in Indian visitors provided fresh momentum for the industry heading into the winter season.

Total arrivals during the first nine months reached over one million six hundred ninety thousand, marking a slight decline compared to the previous year.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority previously revised projections for the full year due to international travel uncertainties and external pressures.

Industry analysts suggest that converting upcoming winter demand into sustained growth remains the primary fo...