News & market updates

City of Dreams Sri Lanka marks its first anniversary, with its two hotels achieving five-star status and the integrated resort reporting notable contributions to tourism, employment and MICE growth. The destination combines luxury hotels, dining, entertainment and events and plans further expansion and international partnerships.

Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne urged boards and CEOs to set the tone on data privacy and embed protection into digital systems from the start, calling for stronger digital literacy and investment in secure infrastructure as Sri Lanka expands digital services.

Mastercard is the Title Partner for the Data Privacy and Protection Summit 2026, scheduled for 23 July at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. With PDPA enforcement imminent, the summit will focus on data governance, AI-related risks and compliance issues relevant to hotel operators and other businesses.

A seminar on Beneficial Ownership compliance will be held on 22 July 2026 at The Kingsbury, Colombo to provide guidance on BO filings under the Companies Act No. 12 of 2025 and CBSL Direction 2 of 2026, highlighting the statutory BO filing deadline of 30 September 2026 and non-compliance risks.

The 10th C Rugby Tag Rugby Tournament takes place on July 17-18 at CR&FC Grounds, featuring 16 teams and a new Corporate Segment that includes corporate challengers from Commercial Bank, Dialog, Cinnamon Colombo Hotels and CDB Finance.

FitsAir will launch thrice-weekly direct Ahmedabad–Colombo flights from 19 June 2026 (about 3h40m), partnered with City of Dreams Sri Lanka and Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, improving access for Gujarat travellers and expected to boost inbound tourism to Colombo.

Kurundu Wellness at Cinnamon Life is hosting an International Yoga Day Signature Experience on 20–21 June 2026, limited to 50 participants per day with packages priced at LKR 25,000++, LKR 40,000++ and LKR 55,000++. Packages include yoga, sound healing, access to wellness facilities and optional signature massage.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka (John Keells Hotels) is running Father’s Day promotions from 19–21 June offering limited-edition 'Super Dad' 500g cakes at LKR 4,500++ and a slow-cooked short ribs dinner with free-flow pints priced at LKR 14,500+++ per person.

A seminar on recent mid-year tax reforms will be held on 24 June 2026 at Cinnamon Lakeside, covering increases to CGT, criminalisation of tax offences, new income tax calculations, expanded CGIR powers, digital VAT and lower VAT/SSCL thresholds. It is targeted at hotel management, banking/finance compliance and tax professionals.

John Keells Hotels PLC's Cinnamon Hotels (Cinnamon Grand Colombo) is hosting a Greek culinary showcase with Chef Theo Michaels in partnership with Classic Travel, running at The London Grill until 14 June 2026.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged deeper Sri Lanka–India economic integration to boost trade and investment, highlighting UPI payment integration and proposed energy connectivity. He encouraged entrepreneurs and investors to pursue expansion and adapt to technological change.

eMarketingEye launched Sri Lanka’s first AI Visibility Study for Hotels, analysing AI visibility for 742 hospitality brands across 18 segments on platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity. The study names segment winners (e.g., Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle) and urges hotels to optimise for AI-driven discovery.

John Keells Hotels PLC's Kandy Myst by Cinnamon has partnered with Kapruka to list and deliver Terra Lounge signature cakes across the Kandy region via Kapruka's e-commerce platform. Delivery will initially cover Kandy, Katugastota, Kundasale, Digana, Peradeniya, Akurana and Matale.

Dividend · Rs 0.35 · XD Jun 5, 2026

Final dividend of LKR 0.35/share; XD 2026-06-05; record 2026-06-07; payable 2026-06-24; FY 2025/26

The India–Sri Lanka Business Forum in Mumbai on 13 May 2026 highlighted renewed momentum in trade, investment and connectivity across tourism, renewable energy, ICT, logistics and infrastructure, with John Keells chair Krishan Balendra among delegates promoting deeper private‑sector ties.

Branding in Sri Lanka is shifting toward people-centered co-creation supported by AI—with nearly 90% of digital content ignored—offering opportunities for firms (e.g., Dialog Axiata) and hotel, tea and consumer brands to use community-driven storytelling and creator networks.

Deputy Minister of Tourism says Sri Lanka must reposition to capture more of India's outbound travel—only about 531,000 of 32.7 million Indians travelling overseas in 2025 visited Sri Lanka. He highlighted AI/digital trends reshaping demand and flagged agriculture, marine and the creative economy as growth areas.

John Keells Hotels' City of Dreams Sri Lanka will host the West End–licensed musical La Bamba at The Forum from 24–27 April; Nations Trust Bank cardholders receive a 15% early-bird ticket discount.

Cinnamon Bentota Beach (John Keells Hotels) held a 'Jaffna Night' on 31 March, launching a 'Jaffna Culinary Journey' video series and a Jaffna Food Festival to showcase Northern Sri Lanka's cuisine and culture. The event aimed to bring authentic Jaffna flavours and experiences to resort guests.

Russell Peters performs tonight (31) at 6 p.m. at the Lumina Ballroom, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Colombo as the grand finale of his 'Relax' World Tour. The one-night show is presented by AMC with partners including Cinnamon/City of Dreams and Nations Trust Bank; tickets from Rs.25,000.

John Keells Hotels (KHL.N0000) will host an Easter Brunch at Quizine on April 5 at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, featuring an extensive buffet, family activities and seasonal Sweet Labs treats.

A presidential tourism task force chaired by Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath met to shield the sector after arrivals fell 5.15% in the first 15 days of March amid Middle East conflict-related flight cancellations (447 arrivals, 451 departures). The industry faces heavy losses (estimated $80–100m/month) even as cumulative 2026 arrivals topped 708,348 year-to-date.

All companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange Main Board must adopt sustainability reporting under SLFRS S1 and S2 effective 1 January 2026. A seminar on ‘Sustainability Reporting for Corporates’ will be held 26 March 2026 at The Kingsbury to brief directors and senior executives.

NPCI International plans to integrate UPI in Sri Lanka so Indian tourists can pay by scanning LankaQR at merchants, with facilities already available at Cinnamon Hotels and Keells; NIPL has also discussed scaling UPI with the Central Bank.

NPCI International has expanded UPI merchant acceptance in Sri Lanka, enabling Indian tourists to pay via LankaQR at major outlets including Cinnamon Hotels and Keells Supermarket to simplify cross-border digital payments and boost tourism-related spending.

John Keells Hotels PLC was named overall Winner of the Tourism & Leisure category at the TAGS Awards 2026 and received the Silver Award in the Hotel Sector (Group Assets above Rs. 10 billion). Trans Asia Hotels PLC won Gold in the Hotel Sector (Group Assets up to Rs. 10 billion) and Asian Hotels & Properties PLC received the Bronze in the above-Rs. 10 billion category.

Entrepreneurs’ Organisation held its Presidents’ Meeting in Colombo (5–8 Feb 2026) with over 300 attendees from 79 chapters, generating hotel bookings and a short-term boost to Colombo’s visitor economy and business tourism.

Cinnamon Hotels (part of the John Keells group) has partnered with FitsAir and City of Dreams Sri Lanka to operate direct Ahmedabad–Colombo flights, running three times weekly. Curated Cinnamon holiday packages for the route start from INR 55,555, including return airfare and two nights at Cinnamon Life.