Port City Colombo’s Food Harbour has expanded its culinary offering with the opening of ‘Via 9’, a family-owned restaurant dedicated to serving authentic Italian cuisine along the destination’s vibrant waterfront promenade.
Owned and operated by a Sri Lankan family with deep roots in Italy’s restaurant industry, ‘Via 9’ offers a menu inspired by traditional Italian recipes and culinary heritage. The restaurant specialises in wood-fired pizzas, handcrafted pastas, creamy risottos and classic lasagna, delivering an authentic taste of Italy in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The concept was established by veteran chef and restaurateur Jude Angelo Fernando, whose decades of experience in Italy have shaped the restaurant’s commitment to genuine Italian flavours and techniques. Joining him are his wife and son, Avin Fernando, who was born and raised in Italy and now manages the Colombo operation.
Commenting on the restaurant’s vision, Avin Fernando noted that authentic Italian cuisine is rooted in simplicity, high-quality ingredients and the joy of sharing meals with family and friends. To maintain the integrity of traditional recipes, many key ingredients are sourced directly from Italy.
The menu showcases a broad selection of Italian favourites, including classic antipasti and fresh insalata salads. Guests can choose from a range of signature wood-fired pizzas such as Margherita, Funghi Porcini, Tonno e Cipolla, Capricciosa and the popular spicy Diavola.
Among the restaurant’s standout offerings are Zuppa di Mare, Sicilian-style Arancini, Stuffed Calamari, Carbonara Spaghetti and Linguine Aglio e Olio. The menu also features hearty mains including grilled T-bone steak served with roast potatoes, catering to a variety of dining preferences.
With its focus on authenticity and family traditions, ‘Via 9’ aims to bring a genuine Italian dining experience to Colombo while further enhancing the diverse culinary landscape of Port City Colombo Food Harbour.
Microfinance Institutions Unite to Establish Inclusive Industry Network
The Lanka Microfinance Network (LMFN), Sri Lanka’s dedicated national platform for the microfinance sector, formally inaugurated its governance structure on May 15, 2026, at a landmark meeting attended by over 100 participants representing microfinance institutions, practitioners, and stakeholders from across the country.
The event marked a significant milestone for the industry, with the Network electing its inaugural Board of Management and appointing its first set of office bearers, establishing a structured and democratically governed body to represent and advance the interests of Sri Lanka’s microfinance sector.
A nine-member Board of Management was elected, comprising five office bearers and four board members drawn from diverse microfinance institutions, alongside nine provincial representatives to ensure islandwide representation across all provinces.
The newly elected office bearers are Danushka Udugama as Chairman, Sameera Gunathilake as Deputy Chairman, Imran Nafeer as Secretary, Godrpy Janakarathna as Deputy Secretary, and Pushpa Wijethunga as Treasurer.
The four elected Board Members include Darshana Wijesinghe, Rajitha Udagedara, Nimal Marasinghe, and Rangana Dihan, representing a broad cross-section of the microfinance industry. In addition, nine provincial representatives were appointed to strengthen regional inclusion and participation.
During the meeting, LMFN also presented its constitutional framework, outlining a structured membership system consisting of Principal Members (licensed microfinance institutions), Affiliate Members (including technology providers, consultancy firms, and training organisations), and Honorary Members awarded to individuals and institutions that have made distinguished contributions to the sector.
A key priority for the newly formed Network will be to collaborate closely with the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka, established under the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Act No. 9 of 2026, a landmark law passed by Parliament that replaces the earlier Microfinance Act No. 6 of 2016.
‘Via 9’ Brings Authentic Italian Flavours to Port City Colombo Food Harbour
