Mount Lavinia shines bright

Under a wet December sky, with the Indian Ocean whispering beyond the historic terraces. Mount Lavinia Hotel lits up with its signature Christmas radiance. The annual tree lighting ceremony, long considered one of Colombo’s most graceful tradition – returned this year too with heightened glamour, grandeur and a sense of timeless celebration. The towering Christmas tree, dressed in beautiful colours , glamouring olds and cascades of fairy lights rose majestically like a symbol of coastal luxury.

Every ornament shimmered, every ribbon glowed – a vision that drew smartphones and admiring gazes from every corner.

Then comes the glamour, as the lights were on, the tree flickered to life and guests erupted in applause.

The musician swept into a medley of Christmas classics, their music drifting through the night air like a festival serenade.

Stewardesses glided through the crowd with trays of sparkling drinks, festive hors of d’oeuvre , that reflected the hotel’s culinary fineme.

Mount Lavinia hotel’s blend of colonial elegance, seaside romance and festive spectacle made the night shimmer with a true warmth.

Sparkling centre-piece

Mount Lavinia Hotel celebrated its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony recently marking the official beginning of the festive season within the property. The event was held with the warm participation of their in-house guests and staff members, creating an intimate and heartfelt start to the holidays.

Addressing the gathering, Anura Dewapura extended his warmest festive wishes to everyone present. He expressed sincere gratitude to the hardworking staff who have been tirelessly committed throughout the season to bring the hotel’s signature Christmas experience to life. Their dedication, he noted, has been instrumental in achieving the enchanting and refined holiday atmosphere now enjoyed across the property.

While the hotel had originally planned to host the ceremony with a wider group including partners and supporters who have stood with Mount Lavinia Hotel throughout the year unforeseen changes due to the country’s recent weather condition required adjustments.

Dewapura also took a moment to share heartfelt sentiments for those affected by the situation, expressing deep sorrow for the situation, extending thoughts and prayers to impacted families and communities.

Despite these challenges, the spirit of Christmas shines brightly at Mount Lavinia Hotel. All in-house and other guests are warmly invited to experience the magic of the festive season, with a line-up of Christmas and New Year celebrations designed to bring joy, togetherness, and unforgettable holiday memories.

Mount Lavinia Hotel looks forward to welcoming everyone to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with us said Anura Dewapura.

Pix by Thushara Attapathu

NH collection transformed its sleek urban facade into a beacon of Christmas magic. The hotel’s grand Christmas Tree lighting ceremony unfolded with a sense of elegance and warmth that felt unmistakably NH.

There were many corporate guests and media glided into the lobby greeted by a soft grow of gold and amber lights.. The centre piece stood tall and proud – a soaring Christmas tree dressed in a shimmering ornaments brushed with twinkling lights that caught the eye from every angle – a symbol not first of the season but of the hotel’s commitment to creating extra ordinary moments. The moment the lights flickered on a burst of warmth, radiated across the lobby accompanied by the first sweet notes of the choir. The hotel glowed with festive décor, reflecting the vibes of the season

NH Collection Colombo marked the start of the festive season with its elegant Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, celebrated on 3rd December 2025, bringing a touch of warmth and seasonal charm to the heart of the city. This year, the event embraced a meaningful new approach, reflecting not only the joy of the season but also a message of confidence, resilience, and renewed positivity for Sri Lanka. The lobby transformed into a festive gathering space as guests, team members, and well-wishers came together to witness the first illumination of the Christmas tree.

General Manager Yann Decaix making welcome speech

This year’s tree, beautifully decorated in traditional Christmas colours, stood as the centrepiece of the celebration, symbolising joy, togetherness, and the timeless spirit of Christmas. By lighting our tree here at NH Collection Colombo, we are sending a message to the world — that Sri Lanka remains a warm, welcoming, and safe destination to travel. Our land of paradise is once again inviting tourists back with warmth and confidence, and our hotels continue to operate with the same passion, hospitality, and spirit we are known for. Soft carols, sung by our team members, enhanced the atmosphere as the lights came to life, creating a moment filled with festive cheer and an extraordinary sense of seasonal magic.

Guests were welcomed with a selection of festive delights, including cocktails, mulled wine, hot chocolate, and an array of hot and cold canapés complemented by mini mince pies. A graceful solo music performance added to the charm of the evening, building anticipation for the ceremonial lighting. Once illuminated, the celebration continued as guests enjoyed the warm, festive atmosphere.

Speaking at the event, Yann Decaix, General Manager of NH Collection Colombo, said:

“At NH Collection Colombo, we have curated a bundle of offerings for the festive season, designed to bring people together and create uplifting moments throughout December. This tree-lighting ceremony marks the beginning of a series of celebrations that reflect our commitment to extraordinary and memorable hospitality in the heart of the city.”

To complement the ceremony, NH Collection Colombo has unveiled a thoughtfully curated festive programme throughout December. Guests can look forward to a range of seasonal experiences, including the Christmas Eve Buffet at AYU, joyful Christmas Day celebrations, a flavourful Thai-inspired Christmas Night feast at Thai Rasa, and multiple New Year’s Eve events such as the grand Masquerade Gala Dinner in the Ballroom, the vibrant Rooftop NYE celebration at Vistas, and a family-friendly Kids’ NYE Programme at Adityaa. Each event is designed to deliver memorable dining, live entertainment, and uplifting festive moments for guests of all ages.

The full festive programme can be explored via the brochure here: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/707707998/6/ The Christmas Tree Lighting served as a delightful prelude to the hotel’s festive programme, setting the tone for a season filled with refined experiences, heartfelt celebrations, and the signature warmth of NH Collection hospitality.

Italian Cuisine Week

This year’s edition of Italian Cuisine Week in Sri Lanka unfolded with unmistakable charm, elegance and flavour as the Italian Embassy introduced a theme that captured the very soul of Italian social life ‘Apertivo and’ Stuzzichini’ This year’s celebration brought together diplomats, food lovers, chefs and Colombo’s society crowd for an evening filled with authenticity, refinement and the unmistakable charm of Italian hospitality.

Hosted at the Italian ambassador’s Residence in Colombo, the evening brought Italy’s golden hour ritual to life, embracing the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality and sophistication of Colombo social scene.

The ambience at the residence of the Italian Ambassador, effortlessly refined, evoked the timeless elegance of Milanese evening culture where ‘Apertivo’ is not just a drink , but a moment of pause, connection and pleasure. Guests were greeted with the aromas of apertivo classics and artisanal stuzzichini,curated specially for this edition. From rustic regional flavours to contemporary interpretations the embassy ‘s tables paid homage to Italy’s diverse culinary landscape.

, Italy’s small bites meant to tempt the palate before meal. Visiting Italian chefs worked alongside Colombo’s leading culinary teams to curate a menu that showcased regional authenticity though elegant bite sized creations. The Italian Ambassador of Italy in Sri Damiano Francovigh welcomed guests with heartfelt remarks on the significant of the theme, highlighting how “Apertivo”embodies the essence of Italy’s culinary identity, simple, social and rooted in tradition.

Sri Lanka’s participation in Italian Cuisine Week for ten consecutive years stands as a testament to the friendship between the two countries. This year focus on ‘Apertivo’ and ‘Stuzzichini’ added a fresh, dimension to that relationship, one that emphasised not only flavours, but shaped cultural values of hospitality, family and warmth. This year’s ‘Apertivo’ and “Stuzzichini’ theme brought a refreshing twist to Italian Cuisine Week. It reminded Sri Lankan guests t hat sometimes the most memorable culinary experiences come not from elaborate feasts but from the simplicity of serving small plates with good company.

Italian Cuisine Week 2025 in Sri Lanka may have showcased flavours, but more importantly it showcased connection and in the warm glow of Colombo’s evening Apertivo came alive not just as an Italian tradition.

(Pix by Dharmasena Wellipitiya)

By Zanita Careem

The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World is one of the longest-running thematic reviews promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Founded in 2016 to carry forward the themes of Expo Milano 2015—quality, sustainability, food

safety, territory, biodiversity, identity, and education—the event annually showcases the excellence and global reach of Italy’s food and wine sector.

Since its inauguration, the Week has been celebrated with over 10,000 events in more than 100 countries, ranging from tastings, show cooking and masterclasses to seminars, conferences, exhibitions and business events, with a major inaugural event hosted annually in Rome at the Farnesina, the HQ of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The 10th edition of the Italian Cuisine Week in the World.

In 2025, the Italian Cuisine Week in the World reaches its tenth edition.

The theme chosen for this anniversary is “Italian cuisine between culture, health and innovation.”

This edition highlights Italian cuisine as a mosaic of knowledge and values, where each tile reflects a story about the relationship with food.

The initiatives of the 10th Edition aim to:

promote understanding of Italian cuisine, also in the context of its candidacy for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage;

demonstrate how Italian cuisine represents a healthy, balanced, and sustainable food model, supporting the prevention of non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes;

emphasize the innovation and research that characterize every stage of the Italian food chain, from production to processing, packaging, distribution, consumption, reuse, and recycling

The following leading hotels in Colombo Amari Colombo, Cinnamon Life, ITC Ratnadipa and The Kingsbury join in the celebration by hosting Italian chefs throughout the Week.

Jesudas, chef Collavini,Travis Casather and Mahinda Wijeratne

Barbara Troila and Italian Ambassador Damiano F rancovigh

Janaka Fonseka and Rasika Fonseka

Mayor Balthazar and Ambassador of Vietnam,Trinh Thi Tam

Anika Williamson

Alberto Arcidiacono and Amber Dhabalia

Thrilakshi Gaveesha

Dasantha Fonseka and Kumari Fonseka