Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka for the first eight months increased by 11.7 percent over the same period last year, the Daily News reported Wednesday.

A total of 51, 216 tourists arrived last month, showing an increase of 5.2 percent compared to the corresponding month in 2004, according to the newspaper report.

In August 2005, arrivals form both South Asia and East Asia increased by 12.5 percent and 24.8 percent respectively when compared to the figures of the same month in 2004.

Among the major markets of the region, India and Japan showed increases of 4.2 percent and 8.7 percent respectively in the month.

India continued as the second major tourist generating market to Sri Lanka during the month.

Source: Xinhua