A Japanese bank will soon set up its representative office in Sri Lanka to cater to the needs of Japanese tourists and investors who are expected to visit the country in large numbers with the ending of the conflict, Sarath De Costa, Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka-Japan Business Cooperation Council told the Sunday times FT.
He said that the Japanese bank office will be within the premises of a leading Colombo bank next year. He declined to divulge the name of the Japanese bank and the Colombo bank.
He said around 20,000 Japanese tourists visit Sri Lanka annually and with the dawn of peace, the tourism industry should focus on increasing the number of tourist arrivals from Japan and other countries.
Japanese tourists are the best travellers and best spenders in the world, spending over US$ 200 per day. The setting up of this Japanese bank representative office will help these Japanese tourists immensely bringing financial benefits and introducing new and modern financial instruments in Sri Lanka. “The tourism industry in Sri Lanka has many opportunities and the industry could contribute much to the country’s economy and Japanese trader were also interested in it,” he said.
Mr Costa said Japanese investors were keen on investing especially in the marine and aquatic sports in the Eastern Province. | 
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