City of Dreams Sri Lanka to open on Aug. 2 with casino, luxury hotel and retail complex

Sri Lanka’s largest integrated resort, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, will officially open on August 2, marking the completion of a $1.2 billion development that includes a full-scale casino, luxury hotel, and upscale retail complex, developers John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) and Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd announced on Thursday.

Located in the heart of Colombo, the property represents the largest private sector investment in Sri Lanka’s luxury hospitality sector and is positioned as South Asia’s first fully integrated resort.

The launch coincides with the ongoing parliamentary review of the Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill, 2025, which seeks to establish a centralized framework for regulating gaming operations. The government has also recently lifted a ban on the import of casino equipment, supporting the sector’s anticipated growth.

The resort features 800 rooms and suites across two towers - the 687-room Cinnamon Life, which opened in 2024, and the 113-room Nüwa hotel, managed by Melco and occupying the top five floors with direct access to the gaming venue. The casino, also operated by Melco, spans 180,000 square feet and was licensed in April 2024 for a 20-year term.

“The opening of the casino and Nüwa 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,” said Krishan Balendra, Chairperson of the John Keells Group.

“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,” Balendra added. 

Melco Resorts has committed $125 million to the project. The company operates similar City of Dreams resorts in Macau and Manila.

“We are thrilled to be part of this landmark development in Sri Lanka and to be in partnership with John Keells,” said Lawrence Ho, Chairman and CEO of Melco Resorts. “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.”

The integrated resort includes MICE facilities (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), curated dining venues led by internationally renowned chefs, cultural performance spaces, and infrastructure designed with sustainable technologies and local art integration.

Targeting both leisure and business travelers from across South Asia and beyond, City of Dreams Sri Lanka is expected to bolster Colombo’s status as a regional destination for luxury tourism and global events.