Shangri-La Colombo is set to bring the culinary traditions of Türkiye to Colombo once again with the return of its popular Flavours of Türkiye festival, following the success of last year’s event. Organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Türkiye, the culinary celebration will take place at Central Restaurant from 30 October to 7 November 2026.

This year’s festival will feature four distinguished chefs from Türkiye – Ali Taspinar, Caner Dolu, Mehmet Erdogan and Feyzullah Kalkan – who will join Shangri-La Colombo’s culinary team to showcase the authentic flavours, techniques and traditions of Turkish cuisine.

Served as part of Central Restaurant’s dinner buffet, the specially curated selection will offer guests an opportunity to explore a diverse range of traditional Turkish dishes. The menu will feature an assortment of mezze, creamy hummus, freshly prepared börek with savoury fillings, and a selection of grilled kebabs. Guests can also enjoy traditional Turkish desserts, including the much-loved baklava, featuring delicate pastry layers, syrup and pistachios.

Beyond the culinary offerings, Turkish music will add to the atmosphere, creating an immersive cultural experience that celebrates the country's rich heritage and traditions of hospitality.

Commenting on the festival, Shangri-La Colombo General Manager Andreas Streiber said: “We are delighted to welcome guests to another edition of Flavours of Türkiye at Shangri-La Colombo. With four chefs travelling from Türkiye, this year’s festival brings a personal connection to the cuisine: the traditions they carry, the skills they have refined and the stories behind each dish. We look forward to sharing the warmth of the Turkish table through an experience enriched by music, culture and our own spirit of heartfelt hospitality.”

H.E. Semih Lütfü Turgut, Ambassador of Türkiye to Sri Lanka, highlighted the cultural significance of the event, stating: “In Türkiye, welcoming someone to the table is an expression of friendship. Our cuisine carries the stories of generations, shaped by regional traditions and the joy of sharing a meal. Through Flavours of Türkiye, we invite guests in Sri Lanka to discover that heritage through the hands of our chefs and the richness of our music. It is a pleasure to see these encounters deepen the friendship between our countries and bring our people closer.”

Flavours of Türkiye will be available daily at Central Restaurant from 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., priced at LKR 9,539 nett per person. The festival promises guests an opportunity to experience the authentic tastes of Turkish cuisine while enjoying a celebration of culture, music and culinary craftsmanship in the heart of Colombo.
Trade Finance Association of Bankers Hosts Its Annual Quiz & Social 2026 Event
The Trade Finance Association of Bankers (TFAB) successfully hosted its Quiz & Social 2026 on 3 October at Marino Beach Hotel, Colombo, bringing together banking professionals from across Sri Lanka for an evening of knowledge-sharing, friendly competition and networking.

The occasion was attended by Kavindade Zoysa, Chairman of Bank of Ceylon, as the Chief Guest, while Praveen Karunaratne, Executive Director – Head of Financial Institutions at Standard Chartered Bank, participated as the Guest of Honour.

The competition attracted 36 teams representing banks across the country, creating an engaging platform for participants to demonstrate their knowledge, teamwork and quick-thinking abilities. The quiz featured five challenging rounds, with special gifts presented to the highest-scoring participants in each round. Audience members also had the opportunity to take part through dedicated questions at the end of each round, with five lucky participants receiving gifts.

One of the major highlights of the event was the inclusion of two specialised Trade Rounds, designed to assess participants’ knowledge and expertise in trade finance. Sampath Bank Team A claimed the prestigious Mr. Parama Dharmawardhana Challenge Trophy after recording the highest combined score across the two rounds.

Following an exciting and closely contested competition, Sampath Bank Team A emerged as the overall champion, securing both the Seylan Bank Challenge Trophy and the TFAB Champions Trophy.

Bank of Ceylon Team A was named First Runner-Up, while Bank of Ceylon Team B secured Second Runner-Up honours.

The event provided an opportunity for banking professionals to showcase their expertise while strengthening professional relationships and promoting camaraderie across Sri Lanka’s banking industry.
Shangri-La Colombo Welcomes Back ‘Flavours of Türkiye’ with Four Renowned Chefs and an Exclusive Culinary Experience