News & market updates

Sri Lanka's cabinet approved a bill to create an agency to regulate online gaming, floating/offshore casinos in Colombo Port City and onshore casinos. The City of Dreams Port City project — built by John Keells Holdings and expected to host Melco — is directly affected.

Sanjiv Hulugalle has been appointed CEO and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka. Hulugalle brings over three decades of global hospitality and real estate experience, including senior roles at Kohler, Auberge Resorts and Four Seasons.

Speakers at a Sri Lanka–Italy forum recommended targeting mid-to-high-range Italian tourists (age 40–69) as the key demographic to grow arrivals from Italy, which contributed just 39,000 visitors to Sri Lanka in 2024; digital marketing and combined Sri Lanka–Maldives itineraries were highlighted.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has appointed AVIAREPS India to lead its PR and brand positioning in India to attract luxury and experiential travellers, while expanding its portfolio (including Cinnamon Life and new Kandy Myst) amid Sri Lanka's tourism recovery.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts (part of John Keells Hotels) has appointed AVIAREPS India to lead PR and brand strategy as it expands its presence in India; its Cinnamon Life integrated resort (USD 1.3bn, 687 rooms) opened last year and a new mall will open later this year.

Sri Lanka Tourism launched the 'Sri Lanka, A Story for Every Season' influencer-driven campaign to boost summer travel, targeting 2.2 million travel enthusiasts and over LKR 32 million in media coverage. The campaign follows a strong winter peak with 665,295 arrivals by March 23, 2025.

Sri Lanka Agripreneurs Forum hosted a workshop on carbon footprint and climate reporting as SLFRS S1 and S2 have become mandatory for listed companies in Sri Lanka; the event covered emissions measurement, reporting practices and trends in climate finance.

The Lanka India Business Association (LIBA) was launched in Sri Lanka to strengthen business links with India, aiming to boost trade, tourism, tech/start‑ups and exports (including tea and garments). The governing council comprises senior Sri Lankan business leaders from multiple industries.

Sri Lanka Agripreneurs Forum held a workshop on carbon footprint and climate reporting, highlighting that SLFRS S1 and S2 are now mandatory for listed Sri Lankan companies. Experts shared practical guidance on emissions calculations, climate finance and sustainability reporting, and SLAF will expand the series.

Cinnamon Life will host a 'Weddings in the Sky' Open Day on 29–30 March 2025, showcasing its wedding venues and offering exclusive booking perks including special package rates, complimentary room nights and photo locations.

Dileep Mudadeniya, Senior VP at John Keells Holdings (JKH.N0000), was appointed chairman of the new Tourism Advisory Committee to advise on strategic tourism development; government targets 3m visitors and $5bn in 2025 (5m by 2030).

Conservation International CEO Dr. M. Sanjayan said Sri Lanka has huge potential to offer the world due to its biodiversity and can align development with conservation. His remarks were made at a 'Create the Future' event co-hosted by Academics Group and JKH Group.

Aloe Blacc arrived in Colombo for a two-day visit and said he is prepared to invest in Sri Lanka, including the tourism sector. He will meet government officials, entrepreneurs in cashew, coconut, organic goods, energy drinks and Ceylon cinnamon, and engage with biotechnology and investment stakeholders.

President Dissanayake said Budget 2025 aims to raise government revenue to 15.1% of GDP and use a three-year debt moratorium under the IMF program to restore debt repayment capacity by 2028. The budget highlights tourism promotion, a port‑centric transshipment hub and rural SME development, measures likely to benefit listed hotels.

Colombo Fashion Week will present 12 emerging designers and launch a Craft Fashion Fund selecting two winners; shows run Feb 19-22 across Shangri-La Colombo, Taj Samudra and Cinnamon Grand. The program aims to boost Sri Lankan design, with sponsors including NDB Wealth and major hotels.

Cinnamon Lodge Habarana (Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts) has launched Sri Lanka's first Sigiriya Virtual Reality experience for guests, offering a pre-visit exploration of the 5th-century Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The initiative is positioned to enhance guest experiences and support sustainable cultural tourism.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has opened Kandy Myst by Cinnamon on Feb 12, 2025 — a USD 40 million, 215-room hotel, the largest room inventory in Kandy. The property features a 500-seat buffet restaurant, Kosmos Skybar with infinity pool and Terra Lounge.

Colombo Fashion Week announced its Summer 2025 edition and its founding membership of the BRICS International Fashion Federation, plus a new Craft Fashion Fund; the event is supported by partners including Mastercard, NDB Wealth, Nestlé Lanka and Cargills, and will showcase local and international designers.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts launched the Sri Lanka Conference Ambassador Programme (SLCAP) with 25 ambassadors to promote Sri Lanka as a MICE destination. The initiative, presented with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and SriLankan Airlines, aims to boost conference-driven tourism and hotel demand.

Cinnamon Grand is the official hospitality partner for AC Milan's Milan Junior Camps in Sri Lanka, with three camps in Colombo, Jaffna and Galle starting Jan 31, 2025. Organisers say the initiative aims to develop youth football and raise Sri Lanka's sports tourism profile.

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts partnered with the Overseas School of Colombo on a Sinharaja rainforest restoration project, where students catalogued biodiversity and planted native species; OSC plans to expand the collaboration to involve more students.

John Keells Hotels' Cinnamon brand is taking pre-bookings for Kandy Myst by Cinnamon, a 215-room hotel in Kandy, with the official opening due soon.

A session at the Sri Lanka Economic Summit on 29 Jan will focus on 'Maximising Tourism Potential', targeting USD 8.5 billion in tourist earnings by 2030. Panelists include executives from Cinnamon Hotels and Aitken Spence, with Dialog Axiata among event partners.

“Gem Sri Lanka – 2025” opened at the Cinnamon Bentota Beach Hotel under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and runs until Jan 10; the exhibition features 103 booths and has attracted many local and international buyers.

FACETS Sri Lanka 2025, a three-day international gem and jewellery exhibition, opened Jan 4 in Colombo to showcase Sri Lankan gemstones and connect local exporters with global buyers to help drive exports toward a USD 1 billion target. The event hosts international delegations and industry forums, drawing visitors and demand for Colombo hospitality services.

John Keells Hotels' Cinnamon Bentota Beach Signature Selection will host Gem Sri Lanka 2025 from 8–10 Jan 2025. The exhibition is expected to attract international buyers and tourists, supporting the gem trade and boosting Sri Lanka's tourism sector.

The HSBC Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival will run Jan 17–19, 2025 in Colombo, curated by Mita Kapur, with Cinnamon Grand listed as a distinguished partner.

The 31st FACETS Gem & Jewellery Show will run 4–6 Jan 2025 at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo, drawing international traders and organisers aiming to help the gem sector reach $1bn in exports; the event is expected to boost tourism and hotel activity in Colombo.

FACETS 2025, the 31st Gem & Jewellery Show, will run 4–6 Jan 2025 at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo and is expected to attract international buyers and visitors, likely boosting hotel demand in Colombo and other tourist areas.