HSBC Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival: Strategic boost for Sri Lanka’s global image

By Michelle Therese Alles

With over 32 sessions featuring more than 50 distinguished authors and artists, the HSBC Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival is set to return for its second edition from 17 to 19 January.

Held at the historic Colombo Public Library, which celebrates its centenary year, the festival aims to enrich Sri Lanka’s arts and literary landscape while promoting the island on the global stage.

“The aim of this festival is to build a profile for Sri Lanka using art and culture, which enhances the soft power of the country. This is extremely important in times like these, both for tourism and investor confidence,” said HSBC Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival Director and Co-Founder Ajai Vir Singh. He also highlighted the festival’s ambitious goal of aligning with prominent global literary events and emphasised its expanding focus on arts, film, and music.

HSBC Sri Lanka CEO Mark Surgenor reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting global connections. “As the leading international bank in Sri Lanka, our ambition is to bring the best of the world to Sri Lanka and take the best of Sri Lanka to the world,” he said. Surgenor also reaffirmed HSBC’s dedication to accessibility, noting that last year’s event welcomed 150 school students and featured the “Future Writers” program, which had over 100 entries.

“Sri Lanka needs to create value through its rich cultural resources. The Future Writers program unlocks opportunities for young people to tell untold stories, encouraging a new generation of voices,” said Dilmah Tea Chairman and CEO Dilhan C. Fernando.

Partnering to support the event, hospitality giants Cinnamon Grand and Taj Samudra emphasised their potential to bolster tourism and cultural engagement.

Cinnamon Colombo Hotels Area Vice President and Cinnamon Grand General Manager Kamal Munasinghe highlighted the strategic importance of the festival, stating, “Art and culture are key attractions for tourists. By championing this festival, we aim to provide visitors with an exclusive and culturally enriching experience.” 

Echoing this sentiment, Taj Samudra Colombo General Manager Samrat Datta pointed out the festival’s growth and transformative prospects. “Having witnessed the inaugural festival last year and its expansion this year, we foresee Colombo emerging as a major hub for literature and the arts, akin to the Jaipur Literature Festival.” 

The festival also features an Art Festival curated by Pramodha Weerasekera in association with the John Keells Foundation, focusing on the theme “Semi-Autobiography” and showcasing contemporary visual expression from 16 artists. John Keells Group President Legal, Secretarial and CSR Nadija Tambiah underlined the creative industries’ role in national development: “The arts bridge gaps across demographics and regions, fostering social cohesion essential for Sri Lanka’s growth.”

This year’s program includes diverse components such as the Children’s Festival, a Film Festival curated by award-winning filmmaker Vimukthi Jayasundara, and a Short Films Competition. 

SOZO Beverages Director and Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust Trustee Indhu Selvaratnam emphasised the festival’s community impact: “Our collaboration reflects a commitment to nurturing creativity and providing a platform for voices that inspire and connect.”

With complimentary student passes, diverse workshops, and panel discussions, the HSBC Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival encourages accessibility while spotlighting Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage. Positioned to celebrate local talent, the festival also serves as a strategic initiative to enhance the nation’s cultural profile and support international recognition.

The festival is supported by a host of distinguished partners. HSBC, as the title partner, exemplifies its commitment to cultural innovation and global artistic exchange. Co-sponsors include Dilmah Ceylon, Cinnamon Grand, Taj Samudra, John Keells Foundation, and Clouds by SOZO. The festival also receives invaluable support from the British Council, Goethe-Institut, Synamon Global, and the Rukmini Tissanayagam Trust. Additionally, key partners such as Wijeya Newspapers, Daily Mirror, Sunday Times, Hi!!, Acorn, Sarasavi, and Hardtalk contribute to driving the festival forward.

Pix by Lasantha Kumara