As daylight softens and the island transitions into night, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts introduces Golden Hour—an evocative new cocktail ritual unveiled at Shangri-La Colombo and Shangri-La Hambantota.
More than a reimagined happy hour, Golden Hour is a sensory experience where time slows, flavours deepen, and moments are designed to linger. Rooted in Shangri-La’s Asian heritage and inspired by the brand’s iconic golden “S”, this daily ritual captures the fleeting beauty between day and dusk, inviting guests to reconnect—with place, people, and the present moment.
At Shangri-La Colombo, the experience unfolds against the rhythm of the city. With ocean views meeting skyline silhouettes, the capital’s energy gently transforms into an elegant evening cadence. Guests gather at signature venues such as Capital Bar & Grill and Tiki Bar, where curated cocktails and refined bites create a vibrant yet intimate social setting in the heart of Colombo.
In contrast, Shangri-La Hambantota offers a more serene expression of Golden Hour. Set across 145 acres of tropical landscape where peacocks roam and the Indian Ocean stretches into the horizon, the experience is shaped by nature—golden sunsets over the golf course, soft light filtering through palms, and a slower, more contemplative rhythm.
At the heart of the ritual is a globally curated cocktail collection crafted by Shangri-La’s Mixology Masters. Each creation reflects culture, craftsmanship, and connection while capturing the spirit of its destination.
Sri Lanka’s signature highlights include:
Purana Legacy – Shangri-La Colombo
A rich blend of Chivas 18, roasted coconut, and pineapple oleo, offering an indulgent reinterpretation of island flavours with depth and sophistication.
Ruby Fizz – Shangri-La Hambantota
A vibrant tropical mix of infused gin, coconut, and ginger-pomegranate spice, lifted with effervescence—reflecting the warmth and vitality of the southern coast.
Complementing the cocktails is a selection of Golden Bites, thoughtfully curated to enhance each pairing through local ingredients and refined culinary craftsmanship.
While Golden Hour is a global experience across Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts destinations worldwide, its Sri Lankan expression is uniquely shaped by the island’s contrasts—from the cosmopolitan pulse of Colombo to the untouched beauty of Hambantota.
Hayleys’ Dipped Products PLC has digitised its rural grassroots procurement process, enabling seamless payments to over 4,500 rubber latex suppliers through the DPL EasyPay platform
Dipped Products PLC (DPL), a leading global manufacturer of protective gloves and a subsidiary of Hayleys PLC, has introduced its fully digitised procurement ecosystem, DPL EasyPay, setting a new benchmark in latex sourcing within Sri Lanka’s rubber supply chain.
Developed in collaboration with the Hayleys Group Digital Transformation Unit, the platform connects over 4,500 latex farmers and more than 40 Smallholder Agents (SHAs), transforming a traditionally manual, paper-based system into a fully digital, streamlined process. Around 80% of DPL’s latex requirements are now sourced locally through this strengthened supply network.
DPL EasyPay integrates the entire procurement workflow—from latex collection and advance payments to transportation, laboratory testing, and final settlements—into a single digital system. This has significantly improved efficiency, accuracy, and end-to-end visibility across operations. The platform also uses QR-code based traceability, enabling each transaction to be tracked from farmer to factory. Geo-tagging features further enhance monitoring by recording precise collection points, improving route planning and supply chain visibility in real time.
A key feature of the system is biometric verification using facial recognition, which ensures secure transactions, prevents impersonation, and reduces manual errors. The platform is also integrated with SAP, enabling real-time financial processing and seamless data synchronisation while minimising manual intervention.
“What mattered to us was getting the fundamentals right – making the process simpler, more reliable, and fair for everyone involved,” said Pushpika Janadheera, Managing Director of Dipped Products PLC. “With DPL EasyPay, we now have far greater visibility and control across procurement, while ensuring that our farmers are paid faster and with greater certainty. That shift, both operationally and at the ground level, is where the real value lies.”
Since its launch in August 2025, DPL EasyPay has delivered significant operational and community benefits. Manual workload has reduced by around 6,200 man-hours per month, while paper usage has dropped by 90%.
The system has also improved farmer payment cycles, with 50% of payments now made instantly at the point of collection and the balance released after laboratory confirmation of Dry Rubber Content (DRC). This faster payment structure has strengthened farmer cash flow, reduced financial uncertainty, and contributed to a notable increase in latex collection volumes during the second and third quarters of 2025 compared to the previous year.
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Introduces “Golden Hour” Experience in Sri Lanka at Colombo and Hambantota Properties
