Kala Pola 2026 reinforces its Legacy as Sri Lanka’s Premier Open-Air Art Fair for the 33rd year

 Kala Pola, Sri Lanka’s annual open-air art fair, celebrated its 33rd year on Sunday, 8th February, enlivening the city of Colombo with an explosion of colour and creativity, reaffirming its position as the country’s most renowned and largest public platform for visual art. 

Open to the public free of charge, the event brought together artists, collectors, art professionals, students, and tourists for a full day of artistic exchange, cultural engagement and social discourse along Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha (Green Path), Colombo 07. The 2026 edition showcased the work of a record 487 local artists and sculptors from across Sri Lanka and attracted a visitor footfall exceeding 13,689. The event was supported by a record 257 John Keells staff volunteers.

Conceptualised and introduced by The George Keyt Foundation in 1993 and presented in association with the John Keells Group since 1994, encompassing a dynamic partnership as sponsor and co-organiser, Kala Pola continues to shape how visual art is showcased and experienced in Sri Lanka. In keeping with its founding philosophy, the event remains uncurated, allowing both established and emerging artists to display their work, engage directly with audiences, and build professional networks.  

The event was graced by senior Government dignitaries including Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Hanif Yusoof, Governor of the Western Province of Sri Lanka, and the Mayor of Colombo Hon. Vraie Cally Balthazaar, all of whom spent time strolling through the art stalls, interacting with the artists and sharing valuable insights with the organisers on how the event can be enhanced and supported better through the government agencies.

The chief guest at the official ceremony of Kala Pola 2026 was Mr. Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, who was welcomed by the Trustees of the George Keyt Foundation led by Mr. Abbas Esufally and the leadership of the John Keells Group led by Mr.  Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of the John Keells Group. 

Addressing the gathering Mr. Franche said, “Kala Pola has been part of Sri Lanka’s cultural landscape now for over three decades.  It’s really impressive to see how much this space has grown over the years. Events like this do not endure on their own; they continue because institutions such as the George Keyt Foundation and the John Keells Group actively support them, and because artists themselves continue to take part… Sri Lanka’s culture and arts sector has immense potential for growth and has so much more to offer, but realising this potential requires sustained public investment. It also calls for stronger engagement from the education sector to nurture artistic careers and professional arts management, alongside incentives for the private sector to continue co-financing initiatives such as Kala Pola”. 

Speaking on behalf of the George Keyt Foundation, Mr. Abbas Esufally said, “Kala Pola has always been about democratising art in Sri Lanka, creating a space where artists of every background can come together, be seen, and be celebrated. As we mark our 33rd edition with nearly 500 artists, our commitment to inclusivity and cultural exchange remains stronger than ever. Kala Pola continues to connect artists with audiences, collectors, and opportunities, strengthening Sri Lanka’s creative ecosystem. We also gratefully acknowledge the longstanding patronage and support of the John Keells Group in sustaining this platform over the years.” 

Complementing the art displays, the 2026 edition included a range of fringe activities that enhanced the overall visitor experience. These included a Children’s Art Corner conducted under the guidance of Cora Abraham Art teachers, powered by Elephant House and sponsored by Nehara Art and the John Keells Foundation which saw the participation of 149 children; live presentation by Prageeth Manohansa; a live sculpture demonstration by Danushka Madhushan and live ambidextrous art by P. Pathmasiri Ranaweera, while the evening cultural entertainment, music and food and beverage offerings added vibrancy to the event. Kala Pola 2026 was supported by Nations Trust Bank (NTB) as its official banking partner, enhancing digitising of transactions.

Kala Pola 2026 also saw the unveiling of the Deshamanya Ken Balendra Memorial Award for Best Emerging Artist. The late Ken Balendra, former Chairman of the John Keells Group, who was also a Trustee of the George Keyt Foundation, played a pivotal role in initiating a sustained partnership between the two organizations which was critical in steering the Foundation’s core activities. The sponsorship commitment of the John Keells Group from the second edition of Kala Pola onwards, encompassing both funding and implementation support, enabled the event to be held annually to accommodate the steadily growing number of artists each year. Based on the decision of an independent panel of judges, the maiden Deshamanya Ken Balendra Memorial Award was presented to artist Sandaru Seneviratne, a 26 year-old artist, animator, and landscape architect hailing from Kandy and a graduate from the University of Moratuwa. 

As a longstanding and iconic visual arts flagship within Sri Lanka’s cultural calendar, Kala Pola continues to be unique in its diversity and authenticity. By bringing art into an open, public space in the heart of Colombo, the event fosters meaningful connections between creators and audiences while contributing to the growth of the country’s creative economy. 

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Arts intersect within the CSR focus areas of both Community & Livelihoods and Social Health & Cohesion, representing two of the four focus areas of John Keells Foundation (JKF) - the CSR entity of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), Sri Lanka’s largest listed conglomerate in the Colombo Stock Exchange operating over 80+ companies in 7 diverse industry sectors. With a history of over 150 years, John Keells Group provides employment to over 18,000 persons and has been ranked as Sri Lanka's 'Most Respected Entity' for 20 Years by LMD Magazine. Whilst being a full member of the World Economic Forum and a Participant of the UN Global Compact, JKH drives its CSR vision of “Empowering the Nation for tomorrow” through JKF.

About George Keyt Foundation

The George Keyt Foundation (GKF), formed by a group of George Keyt’s friends in 1988, is mandated to provide opportunities for the development of Art and Artists, promoting Art and assisting Sri Lanka. Since its inception, GKF has been a major promoter of the Arts in Sri Lanka for over 35 years through a variety of platforms that include Kala Pola. In the recent past GKF has been instrumental in taking Sri Lankan art to a global audience, especially following the conduct of a charity auction with the support of Sotheby’s International.

For more details, visit www.kalapola.lk.