City of Dreams Sri Lanka marks its first anniversary on 2^nd August 2026, celebrating a milestone that has reshaped Sri Lanka’s tourism, hospitality and lifestyle landscape. The opening of South Asia’s first fully integrated resort represented one of the country’s most significant tourism developments, introducing an entirely new destination concept that seamlessly brings together luxury accommodation, world-class dining, entertainment, retail and lifestyle experiences within a single integrated resort. Following widespread anticipation ahead of its launch, City of Dreams Sri Lanka has established itself as a vibrant destination that continues to enhance Colombo’s appeal for leisure, business and entertainment.

Throughout its first year, City of Dreams Sri Lanka has established itself as one of the country’s leading lifestyle destinations, welcoming local and international guests through an integrated resort experience unlike any other in Sri Lanka. Large-scale MICE events, international conferences, destination weddings, global entertainment performances and landmark celebrations have transformed the destination into a vibrant hub for business, leisure and social occasions. International chef collaborations, signature restaurant experiences and destination dining concepts have further enriched Colombo’s culinary landscape, while international partnerships have strengthened Sri Lanka’s appeal among regional and international travellers, particularly from India.

Kamal Munasinghe, Senior Vice President, Colombo Hotels, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and General Manager, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, said, “Our first anniversary represents far more than the passing of a year. It marks the beginning of a destination that has introduced an entirely new lifestyle experience to Sri Lanka while welcoming guests, global partnerships and world-class experiences under one roof. Every event, celebration, culinary collaboration and visitor who has walked through our doors has contributed to building something truly distinctive for the country. We are particularly encouraged by the growing interest from international visitors and regional travellers, alongside the increasing number of destination weddings and major events choosing City of Dreams Sri Lanka. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to building on this momentum and creating even more exceptional experiences in the years ahead.”

The anniversary celebrations will commence with 30% off food and beverages across participating specialty restaurants from 1^st to 9^th August, before continuing with anniversary-inspired set menus from 10^th to 16^th August at Staten Bar & Grill, Bistro des Marées, Yoroko and Sapphire Dragon. Curated by each restaurant’s culinary teams, the menus will showcase signature dishes that celebrate the destination’s diverse culinary offering.

Indiya will bring together two of India’s most celebrated culinary destinations, Indian Accent Mumbai and Ekaa, for an exclusive two-day dining experience on August 7th – 8th, 2026. The guest chef experience will see Executive Chef Rijul Gulati of Indian Accent Mumbai and Chef Niyati Rao, Head Chef and Partner of Ekaa, present specially curated vegetarian and non-vegetarian Chef’s Tasting Menus that celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage through bold innovation, exceptional ingredients and refined technique.

The first anniversary celebrations will continue throughout August with a series of specially curated dining experiences and exclusive offerings across City of Dreams Sri Lanka, bringing together distinctive flavours, memorable moments and experiences created to mark this significant milestone.

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Tony Pellé, Sri Lanka’s exclusive men’s leather footwear brand, has successfully delivered over 6,500 custom-designed leather products for staff at Cinnamon Life, marking a major milestone in the brand’s ongoing collaboration with one of the country’s most prestigious hospitality developments.

The large-scale supply includes over 5,000 pairs of genuine leather shoes alongside leather belts and customized leather coasters; designed and manufactured locally to complement the property’s distinctive brand identity and operational requirements.

Speaking about the milestone, Kavindu Helanka, Founder of Tony Pellé, said, “Working alongside Cinnamon Life to supply footwear and leather accessories has been a meaningful collaboration.  From the beginning, our goal was to create products that not only complemented the visual identity of the uniforms but also supported the comfort and daily performance of the staff who represented the property.”

“Tony Pellé was founded with the vision of bringing European-standard craftsmanship to locally made footwear. This collaboration demonstrates that Sri Lankan manufacturing has the capability to produce premium products at an international standard, designed and made in Sri Lanka for Sri Lankans” he added.

All products supplied to the Cinnamon Life Hotel were manufactured using genuine, sustainably sourced leather. Additionally, different leather grains were selected to suit various staff roles while balancing style, comfort, and durability. The shoes were specifically engineered to meet the practical demands of the hospitality environment, where staff remain on their feet and move extensively across the expansive property throughout long shifts. Moreover, plant-based tanning methods and locally produced outsoles with enhanced compositions ensure long-lasting colour, strength, and reduced environmental impact.

Working closely with the Cinnamon Life design team, Tony Pellé also customized each shoe style to match the themes and concepts of the various staff uniforms, introducing unique colours and detailing that aligned seamlessly with the property’s branding.

In addition to footwear, Tony Pellé supplied innovatively crafted, multifunctional, genuine leather beltsproviding versatility and durability for staff use. The company also produced two-layer vegetable-tanned leather coasters for the Nuwa Hotel, treated with oils and waxes to create a protective finish that allows water to bead on the surface rather than soak into the leather.

Tony Pellé follows European footwear production standards in both sourcing and manufacturing, enabling the brand to meet the demanding quality expectations of the Cinnamon Life project while maintaining consistent quality control across thousands of items.

As the only Sri Lankan brand focused exclusively on premium men’s leather footwear, Tony Pellé continues to combine craftsmanship, innovation, and European-standard production practices to create premium footwear designed and made in Sri Lanka, reflecting both global quality benchmarks and local expertise.

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LankaPay – Sri Lanka’s National Payment Network, announced the eighth edition of its flagship event, LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2026, at a press conference held on 25th February 2026 at Hilton Colombo Residencies. Recognised as Sri Lanka’s first and only awards competition dedicated to payment technology innovation, LankaPay Technnovation Awards continue to set the national benchmark for excellence in digital payments.

Honouring the theme “Inclusive FinTech,” the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2026 recognize Financial institutions, FinTech’s as well as government institutions who have expanded access to financial services across Sri Lanka through innovation, delivering secure and convenient digital payment solutions from urban centres to the most remote communities. Having established itself as the de facto national recognition standard for payment technology innovation, the awards continue to attract strong industry and public engagement, including the online poll for the “Most Popular Digital Payment Solution of the Year 2025”. The grand finale and awards ceremony will be held on 24th March 2026 at Cinnamon Life, under the patronage of Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, as Chief Guest, with Eng. Eranga Weerarathne, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, attending as Guests of Honour and Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy.
Initiated in 2017, LankaPay Technnovation Awards aims to recognize the pioneers of technology innovations in the financial services sector of the country. The objective is to recognize the banks, non-bank financial institutions, government institutions and FinTechs who have been steadfast to the cause of promoting digital payments, thereby enhancing customer convenience.

As Sri Lanka steadily embraces digitalization, this transformation has been driven by vision, collaboration, and purposeful innovation with financial inclusion at its core. The country’s financial sector has remained resilient and forward-looking, playing a vital role in economic stability while ensuring that digital financial services reach a broader spectrum of society. As the National Payment Network, LankaPay continues to enable inclusive digital payment solutions that expand access, enhance convenience, and empower individuals, businesses, and government institutions across the country. LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2026 serve as a tribute to the pioneers of Inclusive FinTech—those who have broken barriers to access, empowered everyday lives, and brought more Sri Lankans into the digital economy. Their innovations are shaping a shared journey towards an inclusive, empowered, and future-ready nation, where progress is accessible to all.

LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2026 is aptly supported by the sponsorship of several leading players in the industry reflecting a strong industry-wide commitment towards advancing Inclusive FinTech. The Strategic Partners of the event are Mastercard, marking its second consecutive year of partnership, and BPC, which steps up as a Strategic Partner this year following its role as a Platinum Sponsor in 2025. The Platinum Sponsors are UnionPay International, partnering with the event for the fourth consecutive year, and NOVUS Technologies, associating with the LankaPay Technnovation Awards for the second time as a valued partner. The Gold Sponsor, Alipay+, continues its strong association with the event, marking its third consecutive year of partnership. The Silver Sponsors include JCB International, which has supported the LankaPay Technnovation Awards since its inception in 2017; NETS Singapore, partnering for the fifth consecutive year; and N-able, which joins the event for the first time, further strengthening this year’s sponsor lineup. Rolling & Action joins as the Official Creative Agency, partnering with the event for the second consecutive year. The Media Sponsors include Daily Mirror, Daily FT, Sunday Times, Ada Derana Biz, FM Derana, and TV Derana.

In line with its commitment to advancing financial inclusivity, the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2026 aim to strengthen the efficiency, reach, and impact of Sri Lanka’s national payment network. The award criteria for 2026 consider interbank digital payment performance during the period from 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2025. Banks, non-banking financial institutions, FinTech service providers and government institutions that have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to inclusive digital payment innovation will compete across 12 award categories. These include: Overall Award for Excellence in Digital Payments, Excellence in Customer Convenience, Best Institution for Financial Inclusivity, Most Innovative Financial Institution, Most Popular Digital Payment Solution, Best Digital Payment App for Retail Payments, Best Enabler for Cross-border Transactions, Best Digital Government Payments Enabler, Best Government Institution for GovPay, Best LankaPay Card Enabler, Best Enabler for LankaSign Digital Signatures, and Best Digital Payment Strategy.

The initial shortlisting for the LankaPay Technnovation Awards 2026 was conducted based on predefined set of evaluation criteria, which were communicated at the commencement of the assessment period and subjected to an independent audit process. In the second phase of evaluation, the shortlisted institutions presented their success stories before an independent and distinguished panel of judges.

The Chairman of the Panel of Judges is Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Chief Executive Officer of the Colombo Stock Exchange and Chairman of the Data Protection Authority of Sri Lanka. He is also a member of the Nominations and Governance Committee of the World Federation of Stock Exchanges (WFE). The esteemed judging panel further comprises Mr. Manil Jayesinghe, Chairman of the Statutory Accounting Standards Committee and Accounting Standards Committee of the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA), and Former Country Managing Partner of Ernst & Young Sri Lanka & Maldives; Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakse, Managing Partner of BDO Partners and Former Chairman of the Statutory Auditing Standards Committee; Mr. Lasantha Wickremasinghe, Partner at B R De Silva & Company and Past President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka; Ms. Chamila Cooray, General Manager – Shared Services at Hemas C O E (Pvt) Ltd and Chairperson of the prestigious TAGS Awards 2025/26 organized by CA Sri Lanka; and Mr. Dulith Herath, Founder and Chairman of Kapruka PLC, Sri Lanka’s largest e-commerce enterprise.

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Prof. E. A. Weerasinghe, the Founding Vice Chancellor of NSBM Green University, was honored with the prestigious Most Visionary Leader Award – 2025 at the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year (SLEOTY) Awards 2025 by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL).

Prof. Weerasinghe was also conferred two Gold Awards for NSBM Green University: Gold Award in the National Extra-Large Category and Gold Award in the Western Province Extra-Large Category.

These recognitions were conferred at the Sri Lankan Entrepreneur of the Year (SLEOTY) Awards 2025, held on 29th August at Cinnamon Life. Organized annually by FCCISL, SLEOTY is regarded as Sri Lanka’s most prestigious national-level recognition for leaders who demonstrate entrepreneurial excellence in productivity, innovation, financial strength, management, employment generation, technological advancement, competitiveness, and sustainability.

Prof. Weerasinghe’s recognition as Most Visionary Leader Award – 2025 stands as a powerful tribute to his visionary leadership in bridging the critical gap in higher education opportunities in Sri Lanka. Through the establishment of NSBM Green University, he pioneered a transformative educational model that has reshaped the nation’s higher education landscape and continues to make a profound contribution to Sri Lanka’s education sector and economy.

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Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, has appointed Mr. Hishan Singhawansa as its new Chief Executive Officer, unveiling the vision to strengthen the brand’s role as one of the largest contributors to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and position the country’s standing as a global destination. With 17 years at John Keells Group (JKH), Singhawansa takes on the role at a pivotal moment, as Sri Lanka’s tourism rebounds beyond pre-pandemic levels.

“Sri Lanka has the assets to be one of the most desired destinations in the world. What we need now is scale, innovation, and consistency. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is at the forefront of showcasing this potential, offering luxury, lifestyle, and authentic experiences that appeal to travellers globally. We harness technology and innovation to deliver seamless, personalised guest experiences, while ensuring sustainability and inclusivity remain at the heart of our growth,” said Singhawansa. “Our resorts in the Maldives further embody this vision, championing international standards, sustainability, and experiential travel.”

The chain’s recently launched Cinnamon Life is a landmark US$1.2 billion integrated resort in Colombo, and the largest development of its kind in South Asia. With 687 rooms, over 160,000 sq. ft. of MICE facilities for up to 5,000 guests, and a mix of residences, retail, dining, and entertainment, Cinnamon Life is expected to create 20,000 jobs and firmly establish Colombo as a regional MICE powerhouse among Singapore, Bangkok, and Dubai

Beyond infrastructure, Cinnamon is investing in fostering talent through the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy, aiming to increase women’s participation in hospitality to at least 24% by 2025, and initiatives such as EmpowHer, which createsafer, more inclusive workplaces. Meanwhile, Cinnamon Nature Trails, the brand’s wildlife and experiential tourism arm, continues to act as the country’s destination experts, offering authentic, conservation-led journeys that align with global travel trends.

“Tourism is about economic transformation and community empowerment,” added Singhawansa. “Our priority is to become a catalyst for change, delivering world-class experiences, and ensuring tourism uplifts the communities we serve.”

As the only Sri Lankan brand to be part of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts connects with over 30 million members worldwide through its loyalty programme, Cinnamon Discovery. Combined with a portfolio of 17 hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is uniquely positioned to play a central role in shaping Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery and future growth bringing together authenticity, innovation, and scale to strengthen both Sri Lanka’s and the Maldives’ profile as leading global destinations.

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The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka, in collaboration with Mercer, has announced The Great HR Awards 2025, an inaugural initiative that marks a new chapter in recognising HR excellence in Sri Lanka. Designed to be the most prestigious recognition in the country’s HR landscape, the awards will celebrate organisations that set benchmarks in HR practices, workplace culture, technology integration, and industrial relations. With Mercer’s global expertise and CIPM’s national leadership, the programme combines international standards with local relevance, ensuring recognition that is both meaningful and impactful.

The Great HR Awards are open to organisations of all sizes and sectors, providing a platform for every business to showcase HR strategies that drive success and shape the future of work. The awards aim to encourage a culture of continuous improvement while giving visibility to organisations that lead through innovation, inclusion, and strategic HR leadership.

Dr. Neil Bogahalande, Chairman of the Great HR Awards Project Committee, said, “The Great HR Awards celebrate excellence in HR practices and inspire continuous improvement. By recognising impactful initiatives, we encourage others to raise their standards and highlight the role HR plays in building a future-ready workforce.”

CIPM Council President, Mr. Priyantha Ranasinghe, noted, “The Great HR Awards is a prestigious platform that celebrates excellence, innovation, and impact in HR across Sri Lanka. It is more than a competition. It recognises organisations that champion progressive people practices, foster inclusive cultures, and create strategic value through HR leadership. Whether you are a large enterprise, a medium-sized company, or a small business, your story matters.”

The awards will feature several levels of recognition. At the highest point is the Grand Winner title, awarded to the organisation that demonstrates unmatched achievement across all evaluation criteria. This recognition is reserved for the most outstanding applicant whose HR strategy reflects innovation, excellence, and sustained impact. Category Awards will recognise large enterprises, medium-sized organisations, and small-scale innovators, with winners, runners-up, and merit recognitions in each group. Sector Awards will honour organisations across 15 industries, recognising those whose HR practices are tailored to meet sector-specific challenges while driving measurable results. Excellence Awards will also recognise achievements in key areas of HR practice, spotlighting innovation, strategic depth, and measurable impact.

Participation offers a range of benefits, from national recognition to benchmarking opportunities, and from strengthening an employer brand to motivating and celebrating HR teams for their contributions. The awards not only provide a platform to showcase achievements but also offer the opportunity to learn from others, share best practices, and contribute to raising the standard of HR across the country.

Applications for The Great HR Awards 2025 are now open and will close on 27 August 2025. The Grand Award Ceremony will be held on 25 November 2025 at Cinnamon Life, Colombo. The launch was held on the 18^th at Cinnamon Grand.

For further information, interested parties can contact Ashrath Naleem on 071 645 0571 or Nishanthini Palanisamy on 071 645 0518. General enquiries can be directed to the CIPM Sri Lanka Secretariat on 011 21 999 88.

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