Reaffirming its long-standing commitment to architecture, design excellence, and the enhancement of Sri Lankan living spaces, LANKATILES has entered into a strategic partnership with the Geoffrey Bawa Trust to support key initiatives that foster knowledge-sharing and inspire the country’s architectural community.
Through the collaboration, LANKATILES will support the Trust’s renowned DesignTalk platform, the Annual Geoffrey Bawa Memorial Lecture, and several other educational programmes that encourage dialogue, creativity, and professional development within Sri Lanka’s architecture and design sectors.
The partnership reflects the shared vision of both organisations to promote meaningful conversations, creative exchange, and the continued evolution of architecture in Sri Lanka. Inspired by the enduring legacy of Geoffrey Bawa, the collaboration aims to nurture future generations of architects while strengthening engagement with the country’s design fraternity.
Commenting on the partnership, LANKATILES PLC Managing Director Priyantha Talwatte said the collaboration represents a shared belief that architecture shapes not only physical spaces but also cultural identity and lasting legacies. He noted that LANKATILES is proud to support initiatives that inspire emerging architects and contribute to a thriving culture of design in Sri Lanka.
Chairperson of the Geoffrey Bawa and Lunuganga Trusts, Channa Daswatte, said the Trust continues to organise a dynamic calendar of public programmes throughout the year, including exhibitions, lectures, and guided tours that explore both the natural and built environment. He added that LANKATILES’ support will help expand these programmes while strengthening the broader architectural and design community in Sri Lanka.
For more than five decades, LANKATILES has combined world-class tile and surface solutions with a strong commitment to design innovation, craftsmanship, education, and industry collaboration. The partnership further reinforces the company's belief that great design extends beyond buildings to shape communities, culture, and enduring legacies.
Established by renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa in 1982, the Geoffrey Bawa Trust is dedicated to promoting architecture, the arts, and environmental studies in Sri Lanka and internationally. Since Bawa’s passing in 2003, the Trust has preserved his extensive archives while continuing to host year-round public programmes that encourage dialogue on architecture, the environment, and the arts, inspiring architects, designers, academics, and students across generations.
Port City Colombo Places India at the Centre of Growth Strategy, Targets Doubling Indian Tourist Arrivals
Port City Colombo, Sri Lanka’s US$15 billion Special Economic Zone (SEZ), is positioning India as the cornerstone of its long-term growth strategy, aiming to attract significantly more tourists, business travellers, MICE visitors, and investment from its closest regional neighbour.
Speaking to Moneycontrol, Port City Colombo Deputy Managing Director Thulci Aluwihare said India remains the project's primary target market, highlighting its potential not only as Sri Lanka’s largest source of outbound tourists but also as a major contributor of business visitors, conference delegates, and second-home buyers.
"Our target audience is India," Aluwihare said, expressing confidence that annual Indian tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka could double from around 600,000 recorded last year to approximately 1.2 million by 2030.
He noted that the strong air connectivity between the two countries, with nearly 90 weekly flight connections, provides a solid foundation for expanding travel beyond traditional tourism.
"We want to attract Indian tourists beyond leisure travel," he said, pointing to Port City Colombo’s growing portfolio of lifestyle, business, and entertainment offerings.
Built on reclaimed land adjoining Colombo’s existing central business district, Port City Colombo is envisioned as a modern waterfront city featuring a two-kilometre beachfront, yacht marina, water sports facilities, South Asia’s first downtown duty-free retail zone, convention venues, and a large-scale entertainment district. These attractions are expected to encourage visitors to extend their stay in Colombo, where tourists currently spend an average of just one and a half days.
Beyond tourism, Port City Colombo is also targeting India’s thriving technology sector. Aluwihare said the project is actively seeking to attract Indian IT companies and Global Capability Centres (GCCs), positioning Sri Lanka as a strategic business continuity and disaster recovery destination.
Describing India as the global hub for GCC operations, he said Port City Colombo could complement India's vast ecosystem by hosting smaller, specialised GCC facilities that offer resilience and operational flexibility.
Infrastructure development is also progressing rapidly to support this vision. Aluwihare revealed that the project's new air dome event venue is expected to become operational by October or November this year, with several events already in the pipeline.
Port City Colombo is also exploring collaborations with organisations such as NASSCOM to host off-site conferences, technology events, and business forums aimed at strengthening regional corporate engagement.
Sporting events have also been identified as a key growth opportunity. Aluwihare noted that major international cricket matches, particularly high-profile India-Pakistan fixtures hosted in Sri Lanka, have demonstrated the significant economic benefits such events can generate through increased tourism and visitor spending.
With tourism, business, technology, entertainment, and international events forming the pillars of its strategy, Port City Colombo is looking to strengthen its position as a regional hub while placing India at the centre of its future growth ambitions.
LANKATILES Partners with the Geoffrey Bawa Trust to Inspire the Future of Sri Lankan Architecture
