Colombo Port City Celebrates the Grand Opening of Its Pioneering Mall Concept

Colombo, Sri Lanka - September 6th, 2024: The launch of the Mall at Colombo Port City took place on 5th September 2024 and was formally inaugurated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the presence of prominent dignitaries, including senior government officials, business leaders, key opinion leaders, media personnel, and several other guests. Adding to Colombo’s buzzing scene of diversity where a contemporary skyline meets hidden cultural treasures, the Mall at Colombo Port City promises to reinvent this city into a sought-after travel retail destination and vibrant tourism hub in the South Asian region.

Embodying the dynamic lifestyle ambiance of Colombo Port City set to emerge once the project is fully operational, the Mall at Colombo Port City will showcase three globally acclaimed duty-free travel retail operators, which will be complemented by a curated assortment of dining, cultural retail, and lifestyle experiences that will cater to the discerning traveller of today. China Duty Free, the world’s No.1 travel retailer, will initially lead the operations at the Mall at Colombo Port City, bringing their expertise and premium offerings to Sri Lanka’s first ever downtown duty-free shopping venture. The two other world-renowned travel retail brands, including Singaporean-based One World Duty Free and Flemingo -- a global travel retailer with a presence in over 27 countries, are also set to commence operations at the Mall shortly.

Mr. Dinesh Weerakkody, Chairman of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC), expressed his confidence and support, stating, “The opening of the mall at Colombo Port City underscores the government’s strong commitment to transforming Colombo Port City into a premier tourist and business destination. With the foundational infrastructure and key legal framework now in place, we are poised to progress in the coming months.’

Mr Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo (Private) Limited also commented saying, “The opening of the Mall at Colombo Port City is a significant achievement not only for the project, but also for Sri Lanka as a whole. This development underscores the country’s growing importance in the global business, tourism, and duty-free markets, and we are proud to contribute to its success. We now look forward to seeing the rapid progress of Colombo Port City and the many opportunities it will bring to the region.”

The launch of the Mall at Colombo Port City marks another new chapter in Sri Lanka’s economic and retail development, promising to transform the city of Colombo into a travel retail hotspot similar to other modern mall concepts and downtown duty-free markets, such as Singapore, Australia, and South Korea. The Mall is poised to bring significant economic benefits, enhance the tourist experience, and establish Colombo as a key destination for luxury shopping in South Asia. The Mall at Colombo Port City will officially open its duty-free area to eligible customers before the end of September 2024.