Business
Sheraton Colombo Hotel welcomes guests to a new era of hospitality
The stunning new Sheraton Colombo Hotel, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands opened its doors recently. Strategically situated in the central hub of Colombo’s business and shopping district, the new 320-room hotel boasts the brand’s signature warm hospitality amidst a beautifully designed property. With over two decades as an experienced hospitality professional with a passion for operational excellence and guest engagement, Sheraton Colombo Hotel General Manager Rahul Maini shares insights into the hotel’s signature experiences and commitment to providing superior hospitality.
Q: What inspired Colombo as the location of the new Sheraton Hotel, and how does it contribute to the overall guest experience?
Marriott International as a brand is growing globally, increasing its presence across various countries and continents. The company has also been expanding its footprint specifically within Sri Lanka, having witnessed strong growth and positive response for existing hotels in the country. For instance, Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa was the first property launched here, followed by Sheraton Kosgoda Resort & Spa, Courtyard by Marriott Colombo, and now the new Sheraton Colombo Hotel – representing Marriott’s fourth hotel in total and second Sheraton-branded property.
The rationale behind opening an additional Sheraton hotel in Colombo is timing, as we believe current conditions make it an optimal opportunity to cater to rising tourists and business travellers by providing world-class accommodation and meetings infrastructure. Sri Lanka has been recording month-on-month increases in tourist arrivals since 2023, a momentum expected to continue in 2024. Moreover, the government’s tourism promotion initiatives across source markets such as India, China and Europe will further boost demand. Marriott International has been steadily increasing its competitive presence and offerings in Sri Lanka during this period via compelling brands including Sheraton that exemplify world-class service.
Q: Can you elaborate on the world-renowned Sheraton experience and any signature services that guests can look forward to at Sheraton Colombo Hotel?
The Sheraton experience draws inspiration from the public square and is built upon the brand’s passion point, which centres around Sheraton’s design and guest experience strategies. These elements are seamlessly integrated to create an environment that works in harmony, strengthening the brand’s vision of being the world’s gathering place.
When we speak about Sheraton, it is about a place that welcomes the world. There are numerous features to explore, one of which is the Community Table. This table is designed with the idea of making Sheraton a world’s gathering place, where people come together to celebrate special occasions, build connections, and engage in meaningful interactions.
In addition to the Community Table, we have a range of activities that we are planning to include in our services. These activities aim to enhance the overall guest experience. For instance, we will have special community days where locally inspired artists will be invited to showcase their talents, welcoming both hotel guests and neighbours from the community to enjoy these unique experiences.
We aim to provide a distinctive array of local experiences to our guests, going beyond our dining area catering to a wide range of regional, Asian and international cuisines. A special section dedicated to showcasing the rich and diverse flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine, will enable guests to immerse themselves in local culinary delights.
Q: How does the hotel cater to the needs of business travellers, and what facilities are available for corporate events or conferences?
Our Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program is today regarded as the world’s largest travel program. Our services are also designed to cater to the needs of our corporate clientele.
A noteworthy offering for our busy corporate guests is the recently launched Mobile Key. Designed for individuals engrossed in meetings and seeking minimal time at the reception desk, the service supports mobile check-ins. Rooms are pre-blocked and pre-booked based on the arrival date, enabling guests to use their mobile devices to directly access their rooms, bypassing the traditional reception counter.
For our Marriott Bonvoy members, the Sheraton Club Lounge on the 21st floor provides an exclusive space ideal for meetings with clients or business partners. The secluded environment offers special boardrooms and kiosks, ensuring a private setting.
Business
Dialog delivers strong growth, stronger national contribution in FY 2025
Dialog Axiata PLC announced, Friday 6th February 2026, its consolidated financial results (Reviewed) for the year ended 31st December 2025. Financial results included those of Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) and of the Dialog Axiata Group (the “Group”).
Group Performance
The Group delivered a strong performance across Mobile, Fixed Line and Digital Pay Television businesses recording a positive Core Revenue growth of 16% Year to Date (“YTD”). Group Headline Revenue reached Rs179.6Bn, up 5% YTD, despite the continued strategic scaling down of low-margin international wholesale business. In Q4 2025, Revenue was recorded at Rs46.5Bn up 2% Quarter-on-Quarter (“QoQ”) and 2% Year-on-Year (“YoY”).
The Group Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (“EBITDA”) reached Rs86.0Bn up 30% YTD supported by Core Revenue performance and Cost Rescaling Initiatives. On a QoQ basis Group EBITDA demonstrated a modest growth to record at Rs23.0Bn up 2% QoQ with an EBITDA margin of 49.5% in line with the Revenue performance. Group EBITDA margin reached 47.9% for FY 2025, up 9.2pp.
Group Net Profit After Tax (“NPAT”) reached Rs20.8Bn for FY 2025, up 67% YTD mainly resulting from robust EBITDA growth, despite higher tax and net finance costs. Normalized for forex impact, NPAT growth was recorded at +>100% YTD to reach Rs22.1Bn. On a QoQ basis NPAT grew 3% to reach Rs5.9Bn resulting from strong EBITDA performance.
On the back of strong operational performance, the Group recorded Operating Free Cash Flow (“OFCF”)
of Rs49.3Bn for FY 2025 up >100% YTD.
Dividend Payment to Shareholders
In line with the dividend policy and financial performance of the Group and taking into account the forward investment requirements to serve the nation’s demand for Broadband and Digital services, the Board of Directors of Dialog Axiata PLC at its meeting held on 6th February 2026, resolved to propose for consideration by the Shareholders of the Company, a dividend to ordinary shareholders amounting to Rs1.50 per share. The said dividend, if approved by shareholders, would translate to a Dividend Yield of 5.0% based on share closing price for FY 2025. The dividend so proposed will be considered for approval by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company, the date pertaining to which would be notified in due course.
Company and Subsidiary Performance
At an entity level, Dialog Axiata PLC (the “Company”) continued to be the primary contributor to Group Revenue (76%) and Group EBITDA (74%). Aided by sustained growth in the Data segment and cost-rescaling initiatives, Company revenue was recorded at Rs135.8Bn for FY 2025, up 18% YTD, EBITDA rose 32% YTD to reach Rs63.6Bn. On a QoQ basis, Q4 2025 Revenue was recorded at Rs34.8Bn, down 1% QoQ due to a reclassification of Hubbing Revenue, while EBITDA decline 1% QoQ to record Rs17.0Bn, largely attributable to network restoration costs and donations made in relation to the Cyclone Ditwah relief efforts. Furthermore, NPAT was recorded at Rs15.6Bn for FY 2025, up 41% YTD. Normalised for forex impacts, the company NPAT was up +>100% YTD to reach Rs17.0Bn. On a QoQ basis, Company NPAT was recorded at Rs4.5Bn, down 6% QoQ.
Business
Ceylinco Life’s Pranama Scholarships reach 25-year milestone
Ceylinco Life has announced the launch of the 25th consecutive edition of its flagship Pranama Scholarships programme, marking a significant milestone in the company’s long-standing commitment to recognising and rewarding excellence among the children of its policyholders.
Under the 2026 programme, the life insurance market leader will present scholarships with a total cumulative value of Rs. 22.7 million, continuing a rewards initiative that has now been conducted without interruption for a quarter of a century. Since its inception, the Ceylinco Life Pranama Scholarships programme has benefitted 3,466 students across the country, representing a total investment of Rs. 240 million in nurturing academic achievement and outstanding performance in sports, arts and other extracurricular pursuits.
Business
Sri Lankans’ artistic genius glowingly manifests at Kala Pola ‘26
The artistic genius of Sri Lankans was amply manifest all over again at ‘Kala Pola ‘26’ which was held on February 8th at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha Colombo 7; the usual, teeming and colourful venue for this annual grand exhibition and celebration of the work of local visual artists.
If there is one thing that has flourished memorably and resplendently in Sri Lanka over the centuries it is the artistic capability or genius of its people. It is something that all Sri Lankans could feel a sense of elation over because from the viewpoint of the arts, Sri Lanka is second to no other nation. With regard to the visual arts a veritable dazzling radiance of this inborn and persisting capability is seen at the annual open air ‘Kala Pola’.

A bird of Sri Lanka created from scraps of iron waste.
All capable visual artists, wherever they hail from in Sri Lanka, enjoy the opportunity of exhibiting their work at the ‘Kala Pola’ and this is a distinctive ‘positive’ of this annual event that draws numberless artists and viewers. There was an abundance of paintings, sketches and sculptures, for instance, and one work was as good as the other. Ample and equal space was afforded each artist. Its widely participatory and open nature enables one to describe the exhibition as exuding a profoundly democratic ethos.
Accordingly, this time around at ‘Kala Pola ‘26’ too Sri Lankans’ creative efforts were there to be viewed, studied and enjoyed in the customary carnival atmosphere where connoisseurs, local and foreign, met in a sprit of camaraderie and good cheer. Many thanks are owed once again to the George Keyt Foundation for the presentation of the event in association with the John Keells Group and the John Keells Foundation, not forgetting the Nations Trust Bank, which was the event’s Official Banking Partner. The exhibition was officially declared open by Chief Guest Marc-Andre Franche, UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka.
By Lynn Ockersz
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