From Visionary Concept to inVOYAGE Sri Lanka
Inside Colombo’s boldest development - and the venue hosting inVOYAGE Sri Lanka
With inVOYAGE Sri Lanka just days away, all eyes turn to Colombo - and to the landmark that’s redefining the city’s skyline: Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka.
A year since its opening, Cinnamon Life City of Dreams has already established itself as the heartbeat of modern Colombo - a bold statement of Sri Lanka’s ambition and creativity. Blending culture, business, and lifestyle under one roof, it’s quickly become the city’s defining address for world-class events and incentives. And next week, as inVOYAGE Sri Lanka unfolds across its vibrant spaces, it will once again take centre stage - this time as the backdrop for a global gathering of the industry’s leading minds.
The Vision: Redefining the Skyline, and the Story
When architect Cecil Balmond first sketched his idea for Cinnamon Life City of Dreams over a decade ago, Colombo looked quite different. The skyline was quiet, the sea stretched wide, and there was little to signal what was coming. Balmond’s instinct was to design something broad and commanding — a building that didn’t just face the ocean, but spoke to it. His vision was for an address that would define a new era for the city; a landmark that captured the confidence and ambition of modern Sri Lanka.
From that early sketch came four distinctive towers and a broad podium uniting 1,000 rooms, luxury residences, retail, dining, entertainment, and event venues in one integrated design. A city within a city, designed with movement and connection in mind. For event planners, that integration changes everything: delegates can flow from morning sessions to cocktail hours to headline dinners without ever stepping outside. Fewer transfers. Smoother logistics. And the freedom to create a truly seamless experience - something still rare at this scale in South Asia.
As Suresh Rajendra, former President of John Keells Group, put it, the goal was always to “make Colombo what it’s capable of being - the hub of South Asia.” Today, that vision feels within reach.
The Build: A Decade in the Making
The journey to get there wasn’t straightforward. Navigating a series of global and local challenges - from economic headwinds to the pandemic - John Keells Holdings, Sri Lanka’s leading conglomerate, kept pushing forward.
And now, looking at the space, a decade on, the possibilities are extensive. The convention wing alone offers multiple ballrooms with built-in LED backdrops and pre-function spaces that can be transformed into immersive networking lounges. Rooftop terraces overlook the Galle Face promenade - ideal for sunset receptions or after-hours buyouts - while the adjacent retail and entertainment zones add depth for partner programmes or leisure extensions.
And that’s not to mention their culinary offerings. From signature restaurants helmed by world-class chefs to private dining options that draw inspiration from Sri Lanka’s spice heritage, every venue has been designed to create atmosphere and theatre - key ingredients for incentive storytelling.
And in true Colombo fashion, there’s always a view: whether you’re hosting a cocktail hour with the Indian Ocean as your backdrop or closing a meeting surrounded by the city’s evolving skyline.
Sustainability and the Sri Lankan Spirit
Beyond its size and glamour, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams reflects a new era of Sri Lankan hospitality - one that’s deeply rooted in sustainability and local craftsmanship. The property uses energy-efficient systems, advanced waste management, and locally sourced materials throughout. For event planners, that means the ability to host high-impact programmes that align with global sustainability goals, without compromising on experience or style.
inVOYAGE Comes to Colombo
It’s fitting, then, that inVOYAGE 2025 will mark its South Asia debut here. The event will bring together 150 global leaders from the luxury events, hospitality and incentive travel sectors for three days of curated 1:1 meetings, cultural experiences, and immersive networking across some of Colombo’s most storied properties.
Behind the Scenes with the Cinnamon Life Team
To dig deeper into how this new development is shaping the future of Sri Lanka’s events landscape, we caught up with the team behind Cinnamon Life City of Dreams to hear how they’re preparing for inVOYAGE and what you can all expect from your time in Colombo.
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Cinnamon Life marks a defining moment for Sri Lanka. It’s South Asia's largest integrated resort, a place where business, leisure, and lifestyle converge. For the MICE and incentive sector, it repositions Colombo as a serious contender in the region. With world-class ballrooms, purpose-built meeting spaces, and a city-within-a-city atmosphere, it offers organisers the scale and sophistication of a global hub, with the warmth and authenticity that only Sri Lanka can bring.
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The vision was to create an urban landmark that embodies Sri Lanka’s spirit of openness, a place where people come together to exchange ideas, celebrate, and create memories. Designed by Cecil Balmond OBE, the architecture draws from fractal geometry and the flow of nature, giving every space movement and energy. From cantilevered ballrooms that float above the city to art-filled corridors that celebrate local creativity, design here isn’t decorative, it’s experiential.
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Delegates can expect an immersive showcase of modern Sri Lankan hospitality. From culinary journeys curated by our signature restaurants to sky-high networking events framed by panoramic views, every detail has been crafted to inspire connection. Beyond the conference halls, the resort’s art, music, and dining experiences reveal the city’s creative pulse, an invitation to experience Colombo in a new light.
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Our approach is scale with soul. While the property can host thousands, every event is delivered with a sense of intimacy and precision. Flexible venues allow planners to tailor atmospheres, from grand banquets in our ballrooms to curated executive meetings in The Forum or The Studio. Attention to detail is embedded in our service culture, ensuring that each guest feels individually cared for, even within our largest gatherings.
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Sri Lanka offers contrast and character in equal measure, a compact island where culture meets contemporary comfort. Within a few hours, you can move from the energy of Colombo to misty highlands or coastal retreats. It’s this diversity, paired with genuine hospitality and exceptional value, that makes it ideal for incentive and leadership travel. Here, every journey feels personal, purposeful, and refreshingly human.
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There’s something magical about seeing the world gather in Cinnamon Life. We are most excited for that moment when delegates step out onto the Sky Deck, look over the city lights, and feel the pulse of what Sri Lanka is becoming, confident, creative, and connected to the world. That’s the moment this project was built for.
The Countdown is on
In just a few days time you’ll see what Cinnamon Life City of Dreams was built for - creating seamless, high-impact experiences at scale. From smart tech and flexible meeting spaces to the mix of dining, entertainment, and hospitality all under one roof, it’s a venue designed to make your job easier and your events unforgettable
See it brought to life at inVOYAGE Sri Lanka