Sri Lanka to host Ed Sheeran concert in early 2025: Harin

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando yesterday announced that Grammy award winning, British singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran is scheduled to perform in Sri Lanka in early 2025. 

The concert, supported by the City of Dreams Sri Lanka formerly known as Cinnamon Life, marks the return of international pop star performances to the country after a decade. 

Speaking to the journalists at the Presidential Media Centre, Fernando revealed that a company had recently proposed bringing Ed Sheeran to Sri Lanka, with City of Dreams spearheading the initiative. 



“The concert will be held in January or February 2025,” he said, noting that timelines are yet to be confirmed by the organisers.

Hosting an event of this magnitude is seen as a significant step in positioning Sri Lanka as a premier entertainment destination in the region, potentially drawing more international visitors and boosting the local tourism industry.

“We compete with countries such as Thailand, Maldives, and Singapore,” Fernando said, underscoring the need for Sri Lanka to boost its appeal as a vibrant entertainment hub. 

Despite the regional competition, Sri Lanka has not hosted a concert by a global artist since Enrique Iglesias in 2015.

The Minister said the upcoming Ed Sheeran concert is expected to attract significant attention. “This will put the limelight on Sri Lanka, showcasing it as a prime destination for world-class entertainment, an area which was missing for many years,” he added.

Previously, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) hinted at plans to enhance the country’s entertainment offerings to better compete with neighbouring destinations.