Mohammad Akram weaves his autorickshaws through peak evening traffic in Colombo. It is around 6.30 pm and he must see a quick tour of the spot. In the Tamil, the capital of Sri Lanka is burnt in the evening lights in the evening light as Mohammed in Tamil, the places and things of tourists should be purchased. “Tea, spices and gems,” he says, his eye on the road. “What would you like to try first?” In Colombo, we find out, a lot in Chennai, auto-drivers are the best tourist guides.
This City of Dreams is the night before the grand launch of Sri Lanka, called the first integrated resort of South Asia. The program is ready to facilitate a performance by actor Hrithik Roshan and the resort is fully prepared to achieve guests from all over the world. In the midst of curated dinner and art and architecture walk-through, we unplacedly slip out for the taste of Sri Lankan. Mohammed was among many everyday people who were affected by the recent economic crisis in the island nation. But his autorickshaw saw him through it, and continued to do so.
Many of the many driving factors in the city of dreams by John Kiles Holdings and Melco Resorts and Entertainment are many of the driving factors. This is Sri Lanka’s biggest investment ever which has made its eyes on attracting tourism from all over South Asia. The resort includes a casino cinnamon life and nuwa, a shopping prime, 17 signature restaurants and bar, event and meeting space, residence and office.
The building has a concept like a work of art. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Art, everywhere
The property takes art seriously, beautifying its walls with about 30 pieces by Sri Lanka’s top artists. It includes names like Chathurika Jayani, Jagath Veearsinghe, Firi Rahman and Priyath Udgera. Sajiva Prematne, Senior Assistant Vice President, John Kils Group, takes us through major works of art, which touch the subjects of urbanization and city construction, history, flora and organisms of the island and ethnic conflict.
Quizin serves different types of sambol which is somewhere between chutney and Thuvayal, Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“The building itself is conceptualized as a work of art,” says Sajiva, focus, interiors, tile layouts, roofs, carpets, columns and lighting attract attention to units. “A lot of guard stones that can be found at the entrance of Sri Lankan temples, the building is deployed like Colombo’s guard stone,” they explain, saying that the structure is not defined by rigid boundaries. Prime numbers and mathematical models find their way in design process.
Modern, yet, traditional
The property has the sea on one side and Colombo on the other, and is designed in such a way that there is a harmonious flow of energy and light all around. James Balamand, creative director of London -based Balamand Studio, says, “The building has a Sri Lankan spirit, which appeared in a more modern way. It is diverse and complex, it is also very simple.”
Food, while it is influenced by Indian, Chinese and European cuisine, maintains local tastes at its core. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
James takes us through the architecture of the building, which was built over a period of 12 years. “When the building was previously conceptualized, our thinking was: on one side that are constantly developing with the city and Colombo city, shifting various ethnicity and constant kinetic ideas, it had to surround it all.”
What’s in sambol?
Food, while it has an impact from Indian, Chinese and European cuisine, at its core maintains local tastes. Breakfast spread over quizine in cinnamon life has a special section for Sri Lankan food, with a live counter for egg upams and coconut bread. All was with Sambol, of course.
Quizin serves different types of spices that are somewhere between the chutney and ThuvayalWe try coconut sambol with string hoppers: ground coconut, shallots, and red chili powder are packed with cone taste. There is also sweet Seine Made from Sambol carmelted onions and powder with dry fish and coconut that is extremely popular among the locals.
Raumesh Fernando, Executive Sus Chef says that Sambol is with Appam, Idiappam and even rice. “It is called Rice Puller,” says 40 -year -old. “No matter what we eat, we have a slight longing with it.” Raumesh is from Morratwa municipality on the south -west coast of Sri Lanka and grew up eating fresh seafood every day.
“In our city, fishermen will distribute that they do not sell the day’s catch among the people,” he misses. While Sri Lankan food is similar to South Indian food, Ramesh explains that they use generous amounts of coconut in every dish. “Our island is covered in coconut trees and we use coconut in various forms: we grind it to extract milk, grind it, cut it open to use your water …” While in fish curry, there is also, base coconut, he says that instead of tamarind, the base is coconut, he says that, instead of tamarind Gorka It is grown in Sri Lanka, used to include the touch in the dish.
The building has the Sri Lankan spirit, which appeared in a more modern way. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
After a good meal, purchases are made in in-house Pramel to look forward, and we also plan a lunch in Indian restaurants, India of cinnamon life. The location of the integrated resort makes us convenient to detect Colombo. But this idea, according to those who dreamed of that place, have to spend the entire holiday within their vast expansion.
Sri Lanka was on invitation for dream dreams in Colombo
Published – August 13, 2025 02:21 pm IST
