One Galle Face, the premier retail destination in Sri Lanka, officially unveiled Colombo’s most iconic Christmas experience with its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony held recently. This year, the mall celebrates the season under the enchanting theme “Enchanted Wonders,” creating a magical and visually captivating festive atmosphere for all visitors. The centrepiece of the celebration is Sri Lanka’s tallest indoor Christmas tree, standing at an impressive 76 feet, marking a standout moment in the country’s holiday calendar.

The ceremony transformed the mall into a festive setting filled with striking illumination, seasonal artistry, and immersive installations. The official lighting moment set the tone for the holiday season at One Galle Face, inviting families, shoppers, and visitors to experience a new era of experiential retail throughout the month. Guests can look forward to a line-up of interactive activities, family-friendly engagements, seasonal showcases, and exclusive festive privileges curated for One Galle Face Rewards Members.

The One Galle Face festive celebrations are powered by Sampath Bank as its Strategic Partner and YES FM as the Official Radio Partner. The memorable evening brought together a distinguished community of influential partners, leaders, and creative professionals from various domains, including senior leadership of One Galle Face, Shangri-La Hotel management, heads of leading international and local brands, Sampath Bank management and employees, MBC Network leadership, representatives from One Galle Face Tower and The Residences at One Galle Face, as well as popular personalities and local celebrities.

One Galle Face General Manager Sachin Dhanawade commented, “We are excited to officially launch the One Galle Face Christmas holidays with the lighting of the Christmas tree. The ‘Enchanted Wonders’ setting is guaranteed to elevate the One Galle Face festive experience as it is a next-generation Christmas theme designed to immerse shoppers in a magical, future-forward holiday atmosphere. As the premier retail destination in the country, we are constantly striving to deliver a world-class experience in terms of service and hospitality, ensuring an unforgettable experience for every time they walk in through our doors.”

With over 350 world-class brands, One Galle Face has established itself as Sri Lanka’s premier retail destination, offering a dynamic mix of global fashion labels, fine dining experiences, and family entertainment. Over the past 12 months, the mall welcomed over 40 new brands, including Carnage, Under Armour, Taco Bell, Levi’s, The Body Shop and Birkenstock, further enhancing its diverse portfolio and delivering an even wider selection of the most loved brands to its customer base. With even more exciting new openings planned in the coming months, the mall continues to evolve as a one-stop hub for shopping, leisure, and lifestyle.

Beyond retail, One Galle Face offers a holistic lifestyle ecosystem featuring something for everyone. Beauty and health-conscious individuals can enjoy its world-class wellness portfolio spanning personal care, aesthetics, grooming, and fitness.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda on Wednesday announced that ADB will provide immediate grant support of up to $3 million to Sri Lanka; $2 million to Thailand; and $2 million to Viet Nam, following requests for support from the governments.

“I am deeply saddened by the suffering caused by these devastating floods,” said Kanda. “The governments and people of Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam can rest assured that ADB will provide assistance to help save lives and rebuild communities. We will work quickly and cooperatively with governments to bring shelter, comfort and hope to those affected by these terrible events.”

The grants will support emergency and humanitarian efforts, and will come from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF), which provides fast-tracked grants to developing member countries for life-saving purposes in the immediate aftermath of major disasters triggered by natural hazards.

Flooding has caused extensive loss of life and damage to property and infrastructure across South and Southeast Asia.

ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.

Nations Trust Bank PLC (NTB) is pleased to announce that the Bank has received the approval from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to acquire The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Sri Lanka’s (HSBC Sri Lanka) Retail Banking business.

NTB and HSBC signed a binding Sale and Purchase Agreement in September this year, with completion expected in the first half of 2026.

The acquisition of HSBC Sri Lanka’s Retal Banking business will bring approximately 200,000 customer accounts under NTB, including premium banking clients, credit cards and retail loans. This strategic move strengthens NTB’s position to serve a larger share of Sri Lanka’s premium retail banking segment and aligns well with its long-term growth objectives.

Nations Trust Bank’s Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Hemantha Gunetilleke said, “The approval from CBSL gives us the go-ahead to move forward with the acquisition process, which is currently progressing very well. We are now able to move into the next phase of the project with confidence.”

HSBC Sri Lanka Chief Executive Officer, Mark Surgenor said, “Our priority during this period is to uphold the highest service levels for our customers and ensure that our colleagues are well supported during the transition into NTB.