Nüwa Hotel has received a five-star classification from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), formally recognizing it as a luxury hotel within the City of Dreams Sri Lanka integrated resort.
The certification was awarded at a recent ceremony attended by representatives from City of Dreams Sri Lanka, Cinnamon Life, the SLTDA, and the Ministry of Tourism. Discussions during the event focused on the hotel classification process, the structure of the integrated resort, and Nüwa’s role within the broader development.
Michael Habashi said the resort was designed to combine multiple visitor experiences in one destination, including luxury shopping, dining, and casino facilities. He also noted that the development aims to support Sri Lanka’s goal of attracting 3 million tourists annually.
Nüwa Hotel, which operates under a brand also present in Macau and Manila, features 113 rooms and suites and is positioned within the same Colombo complex as Cinnamon Life.
Hotel manager Thakshila Galappaththy stated that the brand focuses on sophistication, quality, and innovation, and highlighted that 168 employees were selected from around 500 applicants to meet its service standards.
According to SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam, the case is unusual because it involves two five-star hotels operating within the same integrated resort premises, requiring assessment under existing classification rules.
Cinnamon Life General Manager Kamal Munasinghe added that while achieving certification was challenging, maintaining five-star standards would be the ongoing focus.
Vietjet is set to launch a direct air service between Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo
Vietjet has announced the launch of a direct flight route between Ho Chi Minh City and Colombo, marking the first nonstop air connection between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
The announcement was made at the Vietnam–Sri Lanka Trade, Investment and Tourism Cooperation Forum in Colombo on Friday, during Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s state visit to Sri Lanka (May 7–8).
The Vietnamese low-cost airline will operate four round-trip flights per week on this new route, starting in August.
According to Vietjet, the service is part of its broader international expansion strategy and is expected to strengthen trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The new route will also provide Colombo with improved connectivity to major destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Dinh Viet Phuong said the route will not only establish a new aviation link but also support wider cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, and cultural exchange between South Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Colombo, a major economic hub in the Indian Ocean, and Ho Chi Minh City, one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing cities, are expected to benefit from increased regional connectivity and collaboration.
Nüwa Hotel has officially received a five-star classification at City of Dreams Sri Lanka
