PORT CITY COLOMBO LIGHTS THE SEASON WITH HOPE AND UNITY: JOINS WESTERN PROVINCE’S ‘LIGHTS OF HOPE’ AMID NATIONAL RECOVERY

Port City Colombo marked the start of the festive season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, held under the theme “Lights of Hope,” in alignment with the Western Province’s initiative. As Sri Lanka continues to recover from the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, the ceremony was more than a seasonal observance; it offered a moment of reflection and unity, bringing together leaders and stakeholders in support of national recovery efforts.

The event was attended by senior government officials, dignitaries, partners, and stakeholders, with Hon. Hanif Yusoof, Governor of the Western Province, gracing the occasion as Chief Guest. In his address, the Governor underscored the importance of collective responsibility and standing together as communities rebuild. He also noted with appreciation CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd.’s Rs. 10 million contribution to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund and the deployment of heavy machinery and technical support along the A5 route from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya, assisting disaster-response and infrastructure restoration efforts.

Speaking at the event, Harsha Amarasekera (PC), Chairman of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, highlighted that the ceremony went beyond a festive tradition. He said aligning with the Western Province’s “Lights of Hope” initiative reflects Port City Colombo’s commitment to responsible engagement and solidarity during challenging times. He also praised the strong partnership between the Commission, the Government, and CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd., noting the company’s swift response to support disaster relief and infrastructure recovery.

A poignant highlight of the ceremony was a one-minute silence, observed in remembrance, prayer, and solidarity with those affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The moment served as a reminder of shared loss, strength, and collective hope for recovery.

The Christmas Tree was ceremoniously lit by Hon. Hanif Yusoof, Mr. Russel Aponsu, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Harsha Amarasekera (PC), and Mr. Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd., symbolically adding Port City Colombo’s light to the wider “Lights of Hope” illuminating the Western Province.

By linking a cherished festive tradition with a wider public initiative, the ceremony reaffirmed Port City Colombo’s role as a socially conscious development, conveying a message of unity and optimism during this period of national rebuilding and resilience.

To learn more about the investment opportunities at Port City Colombo, please visit www.portcitycolombo.lk. For information on Single Window Investment Facilitation and regulatory matters, please visit www.portcitycolombo.gov.lk.

ABOUT PORT CITY COLOMBO

Poised to redefine Sri Lanka’s economic and societal landscape, Port City Colombo is a visionary multi-billion-dollar FDI-funded project located at the very heart of the South Asian region — the vibrant, thriving metropolis of Colombo in Sri Lanka. Positioned as the gateway to South Asia, it offers a unique combination of global investment opportunities, international business environments, world-class infrastructure, and sustainable yet cosmopolitan living. As a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Port City Colombo will offer a business-friendly environment including tax incentives and exemptions for Businesses of Strategic Importance (BSIs), and transactions in foreign currencies, with no capital or exchange controls, and up to 100 percent foreign ownership. With several development projects to break ground in 2025/26, Port City Colombo aims to emulate the successful economic models of Dubai or Singapore, whilst reinforcing the broader commitment to sustainability and liveability.