Sri Lanka

International architecture conference themed "The Art Within Architecture" featuring keynote speakers, workshops, and curated architectural tours around Colombo.

AIA International Conference 2025 arrives in Colombo, Sri Lanka on October 9–11, 2025, uniting architects, designers, and built‑environment leaders around the theme The Art Within Architecture at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, with optional pre‑ and post‑conference architectural tours on October 8 and from October 12 onward. Hosted by AIA International with Sri Lankan partners, the three‑day program blends morning plenaries and technical sessions with curated afternoon site visits, then culminates in a Saturday gala dinner, all set against a destination that embodies tropical modernism, UNESCO World Heritage cities, and the legacy of Geoffrey Bawa. Registration is open to members and non‑members, with early‑bird pricing and add‑ons for the welcome reception and tours, plus a separate channel for Sri Lanka‑based attendees.

Dates, venue, theme

• Dates: Thursday to Saturday, October 9–11, 2025, with optional tours on Wednesday, October 8 and from Sunday, October 12.
• Venue: Cinnamon Grand Colombo, 77 Galle Road, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka, with main sessions in the Oak Room and official evening functions onsite.
• Theme: The Art Within Architecture, foregrounding creativity, culture, and the humanistic dimensions of practice across history and contemporary design.

Program shape and highlights

The official overview outlines a three‑day structure that opens Thursday morning and runs through Saturday evening, with afternoon tours on October 9 and 10 and a gala dinner on October 11. A draft program details a ceremonial inauguration and welcome procession, the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, national anthem, and opening remarks by AIA and Sri Lankan dignitaries in the Oak Room at Cinnamon Grand, underscoring the conference’s cultural context and international scope. Beyond plenaries and panels, the format includes curated architectural tours in and around Colombo, with extended itineraries from October 12 that reach Sri Lanka’s UNESCO sites and Bawa’s modernist landmarks.

Speakers and global participation

Sri Lankan press coverage confirms the conference dates and venue and notes the event is among the largest international gatherings of architects to visit Sri Lanka, with AIA National President Evelyn Lee and ARCASIA President Saifudeen Bin Ahamed among those slated to attend, alongside invited star architects including Moshe Safdie, Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, Ma Yansong, Ken Yeang, Simon Alford, Billie Tsien, Junya Ishigami, Nadia Tromp, Brinda Somaya, and others, reflecting a program that spans regions and design discourses. AIA International channels and social announcements reiterate the timing and theme, inviting both AIA members and non‑members to take part.

Registration, tickets, and add‑ons

• Full conference passes: Early‑bird pricing through August 31, 2025, with separate rates for AIA members and non‑members; full‑price tiers apply thereafter. Each full pass includes access to conference talks, scheduled tours on October 9–11, and one gala dinner ticket.
• Guest options: AIA members may purchase one additional guest pass at the member rate; separate gala‑only tickets are available for companions on Saturday night.
• Welcome reception: Optional add‑on ticket for the Wednesday, October 8 reception to connect with peers before sessions begin.
• Tours: Pre‑ and post‑conference tours must be booked directly through the official tour partner, Jetwing; pricing for multi‑day itineraries starts in the published tour PDF, with booking link to follow via AIA International.
• Refunds: Full refunds, less processing fees, are available until September 15, 2025; no refunds from September 16 onward.

Why Sri Lanka, why now

Sri Lanka’s architectural narrative bridges millennia, from Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa’s stonecraft and urban planning to the 20th‑century synthesis of landscape, climate, and materiality in Geoffrey Bawa’s tropical modernism. With eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a diversity of climates and cultures across a compact island, the country offers rare density for architectural learning in one trip, amplified by Colombo’s evolving skyline and contemporary design practices. AIA International’s choice of Colombo reconnects the profession with a region where architecture is inseparable from ecology, craft, and ceremony, aligning with a conference theme that foregrounds creativity’s role in civic and environmental stewardship.

Cultural framing and opening ceremony

The draft program includes Sri Lankan ceremonial elements such as the oil‑lamp lighting and musical performances, alongside formal welcomes by AIA International leadership and local dignitaries, signaling a conference experience rooted in place as much as in content. This framing continues through curated tours that introduce delegates to Colombo’s civic spaces, Bawa‑era works, and craft traditions that inform spatial culture, with extended options to visit icons like Sigiriya, Kandy, and Galle after the conference.

Travel planning and logistics

• Getting there: Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the main gateway, with airport transfers to Cinnamon Grand approximately 45–60 minutes depending on traffic; conference sessions are centralized at the hotel to simplify movement.
• Where to stay: Cinnamon Grand is the official venue; additional hotels across Colombo 1–3 provide varied price points and quick access to the Oak Room and waterfront neighborhoods.
• Climate and dress: October in Colombo is warm and humid; smart‑casual is specified for the conference, with lightweight, breathable attire recommended, plus comfortable footwear for tour afternoons.
• Currency and connectivity: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR); major hotels and restaurants accept cards; purchase a local SIM or eSIM for reliable data during tours.
• Safety and etiquette: Respect site rules at temples and heritage sites; carry modest coverups for certain interiors; follow tour guidance regarding photography and conservation.

Making the most of tours

Pre‑ and post‑conference extensions are designed to maximize architectural density: Colombo city highlights, Bawa’s works and gardens, and multi‑day circuits to UNESCO sites pair historic fabric with modernist heritage to illustrate continuity between craft and contemporary practice. Given popularity, booking early through Jetwing is advised once links go live; expect tiered itineraries that fit one to four days, with price ranges published in the AIA tour PDF.

Networking and CE value

The schedule balances content, tours, and social time to facilitate peer exchange, with the welcome reception, daily breaks, and gala dinner offering structured networking moments across international chapters and allied organizations. As with AIA conferences globally, attendees can anticipate opportunities to earn learning units through sessions; final CE details typically publish with the definitive schedule closer to October.

Sample daily flow (draft)

• Morning: Opening ceremony and keynote sessions in the Oak Room at Cinnamon Grand, followed by focused panels on design, culture, sustainability, practice, and region‑specific case studies.
• Afternoon: Curated tours in Colombo to civic spaces, modernist works, and neighborhoods that illustrate Sri Lanka’s design evolution and cultural layers.
• Evening: Informal meetups or scheduled functions; Saturday culminates in the gala dinner.

Verified details at a glance

• Title: AIA International Conference 2025 Sri Lanka — The Art Within Architecture.
• Dates: October 9–11, 2025; optional tours October 8 and from October 12.
• Venue: Cinnamon Grand Colombo (Oak Room for plenaries).
• Registration: Open to members and non‑members; early‑bird pricing through Aug 31, gala guest tickets available; welcome reception add‑on Oct 8; refund policy detailed.
• Tours: Book direct via Jetwing; itineraries and pricing in the AIA tour PDF; link to follow on the tours page.
• Speakers and VIPs: AIA President Evelyn Lee and ARCASIA President Saifudeen Bin Ahamed slated to attend; high‑profile invited architects noted by Sri Lankan press.

Sri Lanka is ready to welcome the design world for three days of ideas, site visits, and celebration in one of architecture’s most inspiring landscapes. Secure an early‑bird pass, add the welcome reception, and reserve extension tours the moment they go live. Then pack for warm days, bring a curious eye for detail, and prepare to experience The Art Within Architecture across Colombo’s halls and Sri Lanka’s timeless horizons.

Major Hindu festival celebrated island-wide, particularly vibrant in Tamil communities, featuring oil lamp lighting, fireworks, temple visits, gift exchanges, and cultural performances.

Deepavali, the Festival of Lights, will be celebrated across Sri Lanka on Monday, October 20, 2025, as an official public and bank holiday observed nationwide by the Hindu Tamil community and embraced in multicultural gatherings islandwide. The date is confirmed by Sri Lanka’s Central Bank holiday circular and national holiday calendars, which list “Deepavali Festival Day” on October 20, aligning Sri Lanka with other countries observing Diwali on that Monday in 2025. Travelers in Colombo, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Kandy, and other towns with significant Hindu communities can expect homes, kovils (temples), and streets to glow with oil lamps, colorful rangoli, and festive attire, with many businesses closing or operating limited hours to mark the occasion.

Date and public holiday status

• Official date: Monday, October 20, 2025, designated “Deepavali Festival Day”.
• National calendars: Timeanddate and the national listings reflect the same date as a public holiday, matching regional and international Diwali observances for 2025.
• Government missions: Sri Lankan diplomatic posts list Deepavali on Oct 20, with some noting Oct 21 as the “day following” in specific consular schedules abroad, underscoring the holiday’s formal observance.

What Deepavali celebrates in Sri Lanka

Deepavali in Sri Lanka centers on the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, with religious observances tailored to local Saivite traditions and family customs. Temples hold special pūjā and abhishekam to deities such as Lord Ganesha and Lord Murugan, alongside Lakshmi worship and community offerings that bring families together for blessings and renewal. As in India and other parts of the world, the day is marked by the lighting of oil lamps (vilakku), the creation of colorful kolam (rangoli) at thresholds, and exchanges of sweets and gifts among neighbors, colleagues, and extended family.

Where to experience Deepavali

• Colombo: Hindu kovils in Wellawatte and Pettah illuminate with lamps and flower garlands, and neighborhoods with Tamil communities showcase kolam, new saris and veshti, and sweet shops offering laddoo, jalebi, and milk toffees special to the season.
• Jaffna Peninsula: The epicenter for Tamil Hindu culture in Sri Lanka, Jaffna’s Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil and other temples hold elaborate morning rituals, with homes radiating rows of lamps and families visiting elders to exchange greetings and sweets.
• Eastern Province: Trincomalee’s Koneswaram Kovil and Batticaloa kovils host special prayers that draw devotees from across the region; seafront neighborhoods light up in the evening as families gather to share festival meals.
• Hill Country: Tamil estate communities near Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Hatton celebrate with temple offerings, lights on estate lines, and cultural programs in community halls, reflecting the diversity of Deepavali across regions.

Observances and customs

• Temple visits: Morning pūjā and abhishekam with offerings of flowers, fruits, and sweets; devotees often wear new attire and seek blessings for prosperity and wellbeing.
• Lamps and kolam: Rows of oil lamps placed along windowsills and walls, and hand-drawn kolam patterns at thresholds welcome Lakshmi and symbolize auspicious beginnings.
• Sweets and savory treats: Households exchange homemade and shop-bought favorites; in Sri Lanka, milk toffee, kesari, laddu, and murukku are widely shared among friends and colleagues.
• Community spirit: Many schools and offices organize cultural assemblies before the holiday, while the public holiday itself is often reserved for family visits and religious observance.

Practical information for visitors

• Closures and hours: As an official public and bank holiday, government offices, banks, and many shops will close; plan errands for the prior Friday or Tuesday. Tourist sites may open with holiday hours; confirm in advance.
• Transport: Buses and trains run, though some services may follow holiday schedules; book intercity rail or long-distance buses early if traveling that weekend.
• Respectful attire: When visiting temples, wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees; remove shoes before entering kovils and avoid photography where restricted.
• Alcohol restrictions: While Poya Days specifically carry alcohol bans, Deepavali does not impose the same nationwide restriction; however, some restaurants may limit alcohol service on the day out of respect or due to staffing.
• Money and ATMs: Banks are closed; ATMs function, but withdraw cash ahead of the holiday to avoid queues or outages.

Travel planning around Deepavali

• Festivals and lights: Evenings of Oct 19–20 are the best time to see homes and kovils illuminated. For a deeper cultural immersion, plan an early morning temple visit on Oct 20 followed by a neighborhood walk at dusk to view kolam and lamps.
• Culinary experiences: Seek out sweets from reputed Colombo or Jaffna confectioners the day before; many shops sell special Deepavali boxes. Tamil restaurants offer festival menus that include vegetarian dishes enjoyed after temple visits.
• Photography etiquette: Ask before photographing people, homes, or rituals; many families happily share the meaning of their kolam and welcome respectful interest in the art.

Calendar context and variations

• The Hindu lunisolar calendar sets Deepavali’s date, which shifts annually; Sri Lanka aligns via official holiday gazettes and bank circulars to confirm the precise day each year.
• In 2025, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Singapore, and Mauritius observe Diwali/Deepavali on Monday, October 20, while neighboring countries with multi-day observances may mark associated days on Oct 21–22 for their regional traditions.
• Sri Lanka’s government holiday lists unify observance into a single public holiday (with some missions listing the following day for administrative purposes), simplifying national scheduling for residents and travelers.

Getting to and around Sri Lanka for the holiday

• Flights: Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) handles most international arrivals; book early if traveling the Oct 18–21 window, as domestic travel increases during festival periods.
• Local transport: Ride-hailing apps and metered taxis operate in major cities; in Jaffna and Trincomalee, tuk‑tuks and local taxis make temple-hopping easy on holiday evenings.
• Accommodation: City hotels and guesthouses seldom sell out for Deepavali alone, but boutique stays near kovils may be busier; reserve preferred properties in advance, especially in Jaffna.

Verified details at a glance

• Holiday: Deepavali (Festival of Lights) in Sri Lanka.
• Date: Monday, October 20, 2025.
• Type: Public and bank holiday, nationwide.
• Government confirmation: Central Bank holiday list and national calendars list “Deepavali Festival Day” on Oct 20, 2025.

As lamps flicker across Sri Lanka on October 20, 2025, Deepavali invites residents and visitors alike to celebrate light, learning, and renewal. Plan a dawn temple visit, taste the season’s sweets, and watch the island glow at dusk. Mark the date, build a respectful itinerary, and let the Festival of Lights illuminate a heartfelt journey through Sri Lanka’s Hindu heritage and the rich cultural mosaic that makes the island so welcoming to all.