City of Dreams Sri Lanka to Launch on 2nd August 2025: A Landmark in South Asian Tourism and Luxury

John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) and Melco Resorts & Entertainment (MRE) proudly announces the grand opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka on 2nd August 2025. This launch marks the completion of the final components of the project, including a world-class casino, the luxurious Nüwa hotel and a premium shopping mall. 

The milestone partnership, marks the debut of South Asia’s first fully- integrated resort and Sri Lanka’s largest private sector investment in luxury lifestyle to date – an over USD 1.2 billion development that redefines Colombo’s place on the global tourism map. 

Strategically located in the heart of Colombo, the integrated resort brings together world-class hospitality, upscale retail, immersive entertainment, and cutting-edge MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) infrastructure in one dynamic destination.

Key highlights: 

• 800 rooms and suites, comprising of a 687-room luxury hotel branded “Cinnamon Life” which was launched in October 2024, and a 113-room ultra-luxury hotel under Melco’s flagship “Nüwa” brand.

• Expansive MICE facilities designed to host global business events and conventions. 

• A state-of-the-art casino and entertainment zone, operated by Melco, to international luxury gaming standards. 

• A curated collection of signature dining experiences involving internationally acclaimed chefs.

• Immersive entertainment spaces for international performances and cultural showcase.

As City of Dreams expands its iconic brand into a vibrant new market, it capitalises on Sri Lanka’s strategic location and the region’s growing tourism demand. By introducing global expertise in luxury hospitality and gaming, the resort is poised to elevate the standard and appeal of Sri Lanka’s tourism offerings. City of Dreams Sri Lanka is more than a resort - it is the epicenter of a new lifestyle movement, where modernity, elegance, and local culture converge. The landmark project sets new benchmarks for luxury, sustainability, and community engagement, redefining the region’s tourism narrative. 

• Tourism Catalyst: positioned to drive a surge in international arrivals – particularly from South Asia and the region, establishing Colombo as a premier MICE destination

• Sustainable Development: designed with environmentally friendly technologies and a strong commitment to local art, culture, and community initiatives, reflecting responsible tourism

Leadership Perspectives:

Krishan Balendra Chairperson of the John Keells Group stated:
““The opening of the casino and Nuwa hotel operated by Melco marks the realisation of a key pillar of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, bringing to fruition the integrated development that was envisioned over a decade ago. This milestone sets a new benchmark in South Asia for world-class lifestyle, entertainment, and retail offerings. With Melco’s globally recognised expertise and 

exceptional standards, we believe this unique addition will significantly enhance Colombo’s tourism appeal, drive foreign exchange earnings, and create meaningful employment opportunities. City of Dreams Sri Lanka stands as a bold testament to our confidence in Sri Lanka’s future and our continued commitment to nation-building through transformative investments.” 

Lawrence Ho, Chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, commented:
“We are thrilled to be part of this landmark development in Sri Lanka and to be in partnership with John Keells. We believe Sri Lanka has immense potential, and this opportunity complements our existing portfolio of properties. City of Dreams Sri Lanka is expected to serve as a catalyst for stimulating tourism demand and promoting economic growth in Sri Lanka, drawing inspiration from the successful examples set by similar integrated resorts in other jurisdictions.” 

About John Keells

John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), is the largest conglomerate company listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange in terms of market capitalisation, operating with over 80+ companies in 7 diverse industry sectors. With a history of over 155 years, The John Keells Group provides employment to over 16,000 persons and has been ranked as Sri Lanka's 'Most Respected Entity' for 19 Years by LMD magazine. John Keells Holdings PLC was ranked first for four years in the 'Transparency in Corporate Reporting Assessment' by Transparency International Sri Lanka. Whilst being a full member of the World Economic Forum and a participant of the UN Global Compact, JKH drives its CSR vision of “Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow” through John Keells Foundation.  

About Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited

The Company, with its American depositary shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (Nasdaq: MLCO), is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe. The Company currently operates City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com) and Altira Macau (www.altiramacau.com), integrated resorts located in Cotai and Taipa, Macau, respectively. Its business also includes the Grand Dragon Casino, a casino located in Taipa, Macau and Mocha Clubs (www.mochaclubs.com), and the largest non-casino based operator of electronic gaming machines in Macau. In addition, the Company operates Studio City (www.studiocity-macau.com), a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, the Company operates and manages City of Dreams Manila (www.cityofdreamsmanila.com), an integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. In Europe, the Company operates City of Dreams Mediterranean, an integrated resort in Limassol, in the Republic of Cyprus (www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy) and licensed satellite casinos in other cities in Cyprus (the “Cyprus Casinos”). For more information about the Company, please visit www.melco-resorts.com. 

The Company is majority owned by Melco International Development Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, which is in turn majority owned and led by Lawrence Ho, who is the Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.