CAN Weekend Market at One Galle Face Mall celebrates 2nd Anniversary

In March 2020 the world came to an abrupt standstill. For the first time in history, a common thread of fear and uncertainty connected people from all races, religions and ethnicities. It was during this time, Keshini Ann Suraweera felt an urgency to create a platform that would allow Sri Lanka’s small business owners to survive the brutal impact of the pandemic. 

Positioning itself as a trader’s market of home-grown brands and businesses, The Creative Isle CAN Market, has, over the last two years, successfully promoted and created new opportunities for local entrepreneurs of micro businesses. Today the CAN market at One Galle Face, Shangri-La mall continues to mobilise local artisans, having enabled them to survive through the pandemic and the economic downturn. 

As the first lock down in 2020 came to an end, the Can Market was launched at the Colombo City Centre with the support of the Foundation of Goodness where, its Ambassador Muttiah Muralitharan was invited as Chief Guest. The market drew large crowds amongst whom were some of Sri Lanka’s elite personalities like Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake, Kasthuri Chellaraja, Dilith Jayaweera, Dian Gomes, Hiran Cooray, Sangeetha Weeraratne and other local influencers.

Due to the growing popularity, the CAN weekend Market celebrated its first Anniversary with the move to Shangri-La, One Galle Face mall. Acknowledging the collaboration with Can Market, One Galle Face, Shangri-La Colombo General Manager Herve Duboscq stated: “We are delighted to partner with CAN market at OGF and thereby support local entrepreneurs through the Foundation of Goodness to showcase their products. 

“OGF Mall and CAN market share many values, visions, and beliefs. One of them is to support and promote local homegrown entrepreneurs, small businesses, and sustainability focused CSR initiatives. This partnership mutually benefits the Mall, CAN Market and shoppers who are able to find one of the largest selection of sustainable, local products in one location.”

Sri Lanka boasts of a rich history of arts and crafts. Artisans and micro businesses are the backbone of Sri Lanka’s rural economy. This segment contributes to the national economy through exports and tourism related urban buying trends. Yet as Sri Lanka faces unprecedented times, most small business owners who were losing hope and side-lining their visionary ideas, have looked to the CAN weekend market to create opportunities for revenue. 

The CAN weekend market bridged the gap between rural and urban communities. However, what is distinctive about the CAN weekend Market is that this platform has created not just B2C opportunities but in many instances, opened B2B doors. The exponential growth of these businesses give credit to the CAN weekend Market as being the vehicle that steered them towards realising their fullest potential. 

As Sri Lanka endeavours to recover from this economic crisis, the Creative Isle’s CAN Market celebrates its second anniversary. 

A partner of the CAN Market from its inception, Foundation of Goodness Founder Kushil Gunesekara stated: “We sincerely hope that with Can Market successfully celebrating two years they will enhance opportunities in creating many Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, second to none, giving the training facilities, guidance and exposure, harnessing the enormous talent, skills and so much potential we see day in and day out in rural communities.”

The second year anniversary celebrations took place at One Galle Face, Shangri-La Mall on 29 October. The President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake was the Chief Guest. Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake also graced this occasion. The guests took time to speak to the local business owners and view their products displays spread across three levels in the mall. 

Focusing on sustainable and community driven businesses, the market features products of home and lifestyle, fashion accessories, food products, herbal products, cosmetics, soaps and fragrances. The CAN Market is a multi-partner drive that upholds small businesses across the island. 

Join us in building and sustaining creative communities and creating products that could stand their ground in global markets. Together with our esteemed partners, Foundation of Goodness, Wijeya Newspapers, Derana TV, ANTYRA our creative partners, and One Galle Face, Shangri-La Mall our venue partners, lets strive to position Sri Lanka on the world map as a truly creative isle. Can we do this? Yes, we CAN.  

 The CAN Market together with the One Galle Face mall, invites you to come experience the CAN Market, Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m..

For more information, visit CANmarket.lk, CANmarket.creativeisle.com and official social media pages.