Returning to its inaugural venue, the festival will be held at the historic Colombo Public Library, which celebrates its centenary year.
This year's festival features over 32 sessions with more than 50 distinguished authors and artists from January 17-19.
Under the expert curation of renowned literary figure Mita Kapur, this cultural milestone brings together an impressive array of international and local speakers, including Pulitzer Prize winners, Gratiaen Prize recipients, and State Prize honorees.
The three-day event offers a diverse mix of workshops, panel discussions, and creative sessions spanning literature, art, film, and youth development—creating a rich tapestry of cultural exchange.
Speaking of the festival, Ajai Vir Singh, Director, Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival highlights:
“The overall vision of this festival is to be a platform for Arts and Culture, with a specific focus on Literature, Art, Film and Music.
This platform has a mandate to build and enhance the soft power of Sri Lanka.
It also profiles Sri Lanka positively among international audiences.
There is a special focus on youth on the entirety of the festival.
We want to engage the next generation in Arts and Culture, so they are able to find opportunities in creative industries and start their journeys as Design based entrepreneurs.”
Mark Surgenor, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Sri Lanka further added:
“Our ambition is to bring the ‘Best of the world to Sri Lanka’ and take the best of Sri Lanka to the world by encouraging a dialogue and exchange of ideas with world renowned authors and artists.
We hope this will bring a global spotlight to the Literature and Arts space in Sri Lanka.
As the leading International Bank in Sri Lanka, we are encouraged that our customers are able to experience an International Literary and Arts festival right here on their doorstep in Colombo.”
Focusing on Sri Lanka's rich cultural landscape, the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival celebrates in partnership with Official Hospitality Partners Cinnamon Grand and Taj Samudra Colombo.
Kamal Munasinghe, Area Vice President, Cinnamon Colombo Hotels, General Manager, Cinnamon Grand Colombo stated:
“As the General Manager of Cinnamon Grand and Vice President of Cinnamon Hotels Colombo, it brings me immense joy to be a partner of the Ceylon Literature Festival.
This event is a celebration of our rich culture and heritage, and as a homegrown brand, Cinnamon is incredibly proud to support such an important occasion.
With renowned names associated with the festival, we are confident it will not only enrich our cultural landscape but also attract many tourists to Sri Lanka, showcasing the beauty of our island to the world.”
Samrat Datta, Area Director Taj Maldives & Sri Lanka and General Manager of Taj Samudra, Colombo, stated:
“Taj Samudra, Colombo, is proud to announce its partnership with the prestigious Ceylon Literary and Arts Festival 2025.
This collaboration reflects Taj's unwavering dedication to promoting art, culture, and literature, embodying our brand's ethos of nurturing creativity and intellectual exchange.
As we welcome celebrated authors and artists from around the globe, we are honored to contribute to this extraordinary celebration of storytelling and cultural diversity.
We extend our best wishes to Ajai and his team for a successful festival, enriched by vibrant participation from art and literature enthusiasts.”
The festival encompasses four distinct segments, each designed to nurture different aspects of the creative industry.
The Art Festival, in association with John Keells Foundation and curated by Pramodha Weerasekera, focuses on the theme of ‘Semi-Autobiography,’ blending literature with visual art and providing a platform for young and emerging artists.
The Art Exhibit features works from over 16 artists, creating a dynamic showcase of contemporary visual expression.
Building on last year's resounding success that attracted over 100 entries, the Future Writers Program, presented by Dilmah, launches this year with a workshop for aspiring writers aged 16-29, led by award-winning international and local authors on Saturday, January 18th.
The platform inline with the festival’s vision, provides an opportunity to build the creative community among youth and encourage the next generation of writers.
The festival proudly supports its partners by offering unique platforms for collaboration and innovation.
This year, Clouds by SOZO Sri Lanka’s first premium Mountain Spring Water is the Official and exclusive Mountain Spring Water Partner, at the festival, adding a refreshing touch to the experience.
Our knowledge partners British Council and Goethe-Institut continue to enrich the festival with their support.
The Children's Festival brings an exciting mix of local and international authors who will conduct interactive book readings and creative sessions for young minds aged 6-13.
The Film Festival, under the masterful curation of acclaimed filmmaker Vimukthi Jayasundara, celebrates film as a powerful storytelling medium, with our dynamic Short Films Competition empowering young filmmakers to unleash their creative vision through compelling visual narratives.
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.
Investing in the youth of tomorrow, the festival is also proud to offer free student passes, making arts and culture accessible to the next generation of creative minds and thought leaders.
With just days left, the excitement builds for this extraordinary celebration of Sri Lankan culture and global artistry.
From thought-provoking discussions to immersive workshops, every session is meticulously curated to inspire and engage.
Explore the full program and book your passes now at www.ceylonliteraryfestival.com.