Sri Lanka's City of Dreams is banking on an influx of visitors from India and an increase in leisure travel to boost its tourism sector.
In a significant move for the island nation, the highly-anticipated City of Dreams Sri Lanka opened its doors on August 2, 2025. This integrated resort, a first of its kind in South Asia, is expected to revolutionise Sri Lanka's tourism industry and contribute significantly to the country's economy.
Spearheaded by Melco Resorts, the $1.2 billion Cinnamon Life development was discussed by Gihan Cooray, deputy chairman of John Keells, on CNBC Inside Asia. Cooray expressed optimism that partnering with Melco Resorts would help appease some opposition and concerns about the impact of a large-scale casino on the island country.
The City of Dreams Sri Lanka is more than just a casino. It is a mixed-use complex offering world-class dining, live entertainment, high-end local retail, outdoor events, and two swimming complexes. The resort aims to elevate Sri Lanka’s tourism appeal by combining luxury hospitality, international-standard gaming, signature dining, and immersive entertainment spaces that blend modernity with local culture.
According to Gihan Cooray and Lawrence Ho, the City of Dreams Sri Lanka is expected to significantly boost tourism from India and the wider South Asian region. The integrated resort is strategically located within one and a half hours of most key Indian cities, making it an attractive destination for visitors from the region.
Economically, the project is anticipated to generate substantial benefits. Over 20,000 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be created, enhancing foreign exchange earnings and overall national economic growth. The resort sets new benchmarks for luxury, sustainability, and community engagement, reflecting a commitment to responsible tourism that integrates environmentally friendly technologies and strong support for local arts and culture.
Lawrence Ho, founder, chairman, and CEO of Melco Resorts, was present at the opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka. He emphasised that the resort symbolises confidence in Sri Lanka’s future, with the integrated resort serving as a symbol of possibility that helps elevate Sri Lanka’s global profile and tourism economy.
Melco Resorts, a highly respected gaming firm that operates in multiple global markets and has strong company and brand awareness throughout Asia, will manage the casino at the City of Dreams Sri Lanka. In a unique arrangement, Melco Resorts will share about half of the gross gaming revenue generated at the casino with John Keells Holdings.
The casino and accompanying resort are targeting visitors from India, which accounted for only 18.5% of the visitors to Sri Lanka last month. However, with infrastructure investments improving Sri Lanka's accessibility with India, this figure is expected to increase.
Cooray is optimistic about Sri Lanka's tourism future due to restored stability. The opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka is a testament to this optimism, as the resort represents a transformative project aimed at elevating Sri Lanka's global profile and contributing to its tourism economy.
As Sri Lanka welcomed approximately 200,000 visitors last month, the potential for growth in the tourism sector is evident. With the City of Dreams Sri Lanka now open, the country is poised to attract even more visitors, boosting its economy and cementing its position as a premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination in the region.
[1] Gihan Cooray and Lawrence Ho Discuss City of Dreams Sri Lanka on CNBC Inside Asia. (2025, August 12). Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/12/gihan-cooray-and-lawrence-ho-discuss-city-of-dreams-sri-lanka-on-cnbc-inside-asia.html
[2] City of Dreams Sri Lanka Opens, Set to Boost Tourism and Economy. (2025, August 3). Retrieved from https://www.johnkeells.com/news/city-of-dreams-sri-lanka-opens-set-to-boost-tourism-and-economy
[3] Lawrence Ho: City of Dreams Sri Lanka Symbolises Confidence in Sri Lanka’s Future. (2025, August 2). Retrieved from https://www.melco-resorts.com/news/lawrence-ho-city-of-dreams-sri-lanka-symbolises-confidence-in-sri-lankas-future
- The City of Dreams Sri Lanka, a joint venture by John Keells and Melco Resorts, is poised to revolutionize Sri Lanka's tourism industry and economy.
- John Keells deputy chairman, Gihan Cooray, discussed the Cinnamon Life development on CNBC Inside Asia, expressing optimism about partnering with Melco Resorts to address concerns.
- Located in Sri Lanka, City of Dreams is more than a casino; it offers dining, entertainment, retail, outdoor events, and swimming complexes, aiming to elevate Sri Lanka's tourism appeal.
- The resort's blend of luxury hospitality, gaming, dining, and entertainment spaces aims to attract tourists from the wider South Asian region, including India.
- The City of Dreams Sri Lanka project is anticipated to create over 20,000 jobs, enhance foreign exchange earnings, and contribute significantly to national economic growth.
- Melco Resorts, a globally respected gaming firm with a strong presence in Asia, will manage the casino at City of Dreams Sri Lanka and share half of the gross gaming revenue with John Keells Holdings.
- India, which accounted for only 18.5% of Sri Lanka's visitors last month, is a primary target for the casino and resort, with improved infrastructure increasing India's future visit potential.
- With restored stability, Sri Lanka welcomed approximately 200,000 visitors last month, and the opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka could attract even more tourists, boosting the economy and establishing Sri Lanka as a premier MICE destination.
- The strategic location of City of Dreams Sri Lanka within one and a half hours of most key Indian cities makes it an attractive destination for visitors from the region, contributing to significant boosts in tourism from India and the wider South Asian region.
- The casino industry is a significant player in the personal-finance, banking-and-insurance, and real-estate sectors, with commercial and budgeting implications for cities like Las Vegas and Sarawak, Malaysia, which have embraced gambling trends.
- City of Dreams Sri Lanka, with its casino games, lotteries, and Las Vegas-style gambling culture, reflects casino personalities who influence the politics and culture of the gambling industry.
- While casinos and gambling can be a source of big-wins for some, responsible gambling is crucial to minimize negative impacts on individuals and their communities, a topic often covered in general news.
- The City of Dreams Sri Lanka is expected to set new benchmarks for sustainability, community engagement, and environmentally friendly technologies, emphasizing a commitment to responsible tourism.
- The opening of City of Dreams Sri Lanka signifies a new era for the island nation, with implications for the industry, finance, and Sri Lanka's global profile, as the resort symbolizes possibility and hope for the country's future.
