Galle Literary Festival: Bridging business and the arts

The ‘God and the Afterlife’ session, which was sponsored by Asia Securities, at GLF 2024

Galle Literary Festival (GLF) has cemented its position as a key contributor to Sri Lanka’s economic and cultural development. It attracts robust support from the business community while celebrating literature and the arts. With esteemed sponsors such as Asia Securities as the Gold Partner and International Distillers Ltd. (IDL) and Clouds by SOZO as the Beverage Partner, the festival exemplifies the synergy between cultural enrichment and strategic brand engagement.

For businesses, GLF presents an opportunity to connect with a discerning audience, enhance brand visibility, and align with a prestigious literary initiative that resonates with local and global audiences. Asia Securities, a leading investment services firm, has consistently supported intellectual and artistic pursuits. As the festival’s partner again this year, the firm emphasises the synergy between creativity and strategic thinking, values integral to both literature and investment.

Reflecting on the partnership, Asia Securities Chairman Dumith Fernando stated, “This is the second consecutive year Asia Securities is sponsoring the Galle Literary Festival. Creativity, research, and critical thinking, hallmarks of great literature, are equally relevant to the services we offer our clients at Asia Securities. Moreover, reading plays a central role in fostering the lateral thinking that many of our clients value in managing their businesses or investments. That’s why we are excited to support the premier event that champions literature in Sri Lanka once again.”

Asia Securities has a proud legacy of promoting literacy and empowerment in Sri Lanka. Through its partnership with the global non-profit organisation Room to Read, the firm has supported the transformative Girls’ Education Programme, which uplifts young girls in low-income communities by advancing literacy and promoting gender equality.

In addition, Asia Securities has been at the forefront of boosting financial literacy with its flagship initiative, DhanaMaga. This free, trilingual program empowers Sri Lankans across the nation to take charge of their financial futures—anytime, anywhere.

As one of Sri Lanka’s leading investment services firms, Asia Securities caters to a diverse range of domestic and international institutional, high-net-worth, and retail clients, providing stockbroking, wealth management, and investment banking services. It ranks #1 in stockbroking by market turnover, is a leader in corporate advisory for capital raising, and is one of the fastest-growing wealth managers in Sri Lanka.

IDL, returns as the Beverage Partner, reinforcing its commitment to fostering cultural initiatives and promoting sustainability. The partnership shows IDL’s dedication to enhancing the festival experience with eco-conscious practices. SOZO Beverages and International Distillers Ltd. Director and The Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust Trustee Indhu Selvaratnam noted, “Our partnership with the Galle Literary Festival is a natural extension of the Trust’s mission to support and nurture Sri Lanka’s vibrant cultural and artistic heritage. This festival is a beacon for creative minds, fostering dialogue, discovery, and connection. Through this collaboration, we aim to contribute to the festival’s dynamic offerings while reinforcing the importance of creative expression. Together, we celebrate the power of stories and ideas to inspire and enrich our community.” 

SOZO Beverages Founder and Managing Director Dushyantha De Silva expressed his enthusiasm, “The Galle Literary Festival is a celebration of diverse voices and creative expression, and Clouds by SOZO is proud to play a role in enhancing this vibrant experience. Our water represents purity and quality, both aspects that resonate deeply with the values of the festival. Sri Lanka’s first sparkling mountain spring water, sustainably packaged in recyclable aluminium cans, will be featured at the festival as we aim to offer festival-goers a refreshing and meaningful experience that aligns with the festival’s spirit of innovation and exploration. This partnership allows us to not only showcase our commitment to quality and creativity but also connect with a community that values culture and the arts.”

IDL has emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s leading corporates and a manufacturer and importer of quality spirits. With our diverse product portfolio and well-established brands, IDL has become synonymous with class and quality among its customers and partners worldwide.

The festival is also supported by other key sponsors, including Commercial Bank and The Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust as Session Sponsors, Damn Fine as the Coffee Partner, and the Australian High Commission as an Author Sponsor, with special thanks to Sunethra Bandaranaike and Heather Christiansen.

Galle Literary Festival enriches Sri Lanka’s literary landscape while driving economic growth by attracting tourists, showcasing local talent, and fostering intellectual exchange. In their year-on-year commitment to the cause, sponsors like Asia Securities and IDL lead the way in establishing Sri Lanka’s position as a global cultural destination.