In celebration of World Architecture Day 2025, Amari Colombo, in proud collaboration with Wijeya Newspapers Limited (WNL) as Title Partner, will lead Sri Lanka’s official commemoration through an exclusive panel discussion themed “Design for Strength.” The event will take place on Thursday, 16th October 2025, at the Saffira Ballroom, Amari Colombo, bringing together some of the country’s most visionary minds in architecture, design, and sustainability. The forum will explore how design transcends aesthetics; becoming a force for resilience, identity, and sustainable development in an increasingly dynamic world. Moderated by popular digital talk show host, Mifra Sadikeen on behalf of The Sun (Daily Mirror) newspaper, the discussion will feature four creative leaders whose work embodies the spirit of this year’s theme:
- Sonali Dharmawardena: Artist and Fashion Designer. Celebrated for reviving heritage Batik in contemporary fashion, Sonali bridges art, culture, and design through craftsmanship and innovation.
- Vinod Jayasinghe: Architect, Vinod Jayasinghe Associates. Renowned for architecture inspired by Geoffrey Bawa’s ethos, Jayasinghe’s practice demonstrates how built environments can embody harmony, continuity, and cultural resilience.
- Indika Jayawardena: Hotel Manager, Amari Colombo. A leading voice in hospitality, Indika presents Amari Colombo as a living model of sustainability, inclusivity, and cultural identity within the framework of global hospitality design.
- Dinesh Chandrasena: Academic Director, College of Fashion and Design (CFD). Internationally acclaimed designer and educator, Dinesh will discuss the future of design education, empowering the next generation of culturally conscious, adaptive creators.
DESIGN FOR STRENGTH: A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON CREATIVE RESILIENCE
The panel will explore four key dimensions of strength within contemporary design:
- Cultural Resilience: Preserving identity through innovation and adaptive design.
- Sustainable Practices: Integrating environmental and social responsibility across disciplines.
- Global Relevance, Local Identity: Balancing international design standards with contextual authenticity.
- Creative Adaptability: Embracing change, reinvention, and innovation as enduring tools for growth.
Commenting on the partnership, Monty Ariyaratne, General Manager of Amari Colombo, stated: “This is more than a partnership, it is a cultural statement. We are honoured to collaborate with Wijeya Newspapers Limited to present a design narrative that is not only visually compelling but emotionally resonant. ‘Design for Strength’ reminds us that resilience, heritage, and innovation are deeply interconnected. Thoughtful design can empower communities, inspire creativity, and preserve cultural identity.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Rishini Weeraratne, Editor, The Sun (Daily Mirror), stated: “At The Sun (Daily Mirror), we believe design is more than form; it reflects resilience, culture, and the human spirit. Our collaboration with Amari Colombo for World Architecture Day 2025 celebrates Sri Lanka’s creative strength. The theme ‘Design for Strength’ mirrors our nation’s story of rebuilding and reinvention. Through this dialogue, we aim to highlight how design bridges tradition and innovation, inspiring a generation of purposeful creators. It’s an honour for The Sun (Daily Mirror) to connect voices across disciplines that define the identity and resilience of modern Sri Lanka.”
Amari Colombo: Designing Strength, Designing Identity
An architectural gem by Warren Foster-Brown of FBEYE International, Amari Colombo exemplifies the seamless fusion of Sri Lankan elegance and Thai warmth, an embodiment of the ONYX Hospitality Group’s vision for operational excellence and design distinction. In recent years, the property has earned multiple accolades, including recognition at the Asia Pacific Property and Hotel Awards 2025–2026 in the Hotel Interior, Sri Lanka category, and the title of Sri Lanka’s Leading Business Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2025. More than a hotel, Amari Colombo positions itself as a platform for cultural exchange, creative dialogue, and thought leadership, championing Sri Lanka’s potential as a hub for innovative design and sustainable hospitality in the region.
Profiles of the Speakers
- Archt. Vinod Jayasinghe: Designing Resilience Through Contextual Harmony
Founder | Vinod Jayasinghe Associates (Pvt) Ltd.Archt. Vinod Jayasinghe stands among Sri Lanka’s most respected architects, known for designs that embody simplicity, authenticity, and contextual sensitivity. A graduate of the University of Moratuwa, Jayasinghe began his career under the mentorship of the legendary Geoffrey Bawa at M/s Edwards Reid & Begg in 1987. In 1996, he founded Vinod Jayasinghe Associates, now one of the nation’s leading architectural practices. His work, spanning Sri Lanka, India, the Maldives, the Middle East, the UK, Malaysia, Indo-China, and Australia, captures a delicate balance between tradition and modernity. Jayasinghe’s approach to architecture is rooted in continuity and adaptability, reflecting his belief that resilience in design lies not in permanence, but in the capacity to evolve while remaining true to cultural identity. His work underlines the notion that built environments can be both regionally grounded and globally relevant, embodying the essence of “Design for Strength.”
2.Dinesh Chandrasena: Fashioning Strength Through Design Narratives
A global name in fashion and creative direction, Dinesh Chandrasena’s illustrious career spans couture, education, and international brand collaborations. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), Los Angeles, she began her career at Calvin Klein, New York, and later became Principal Designer at Claire’s Collection, designing couture for Hollywood icons including Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, and Dame Julie Andrews, as well as Miss Universe 2008 and other global pageant winners.
Beyond the runway, Dinesh has directed creative campaigns for Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts and led the Asian launch of Parisian couture house Georges Hobeika, featured on CNN. Today, as Academic Director and Head of Fashion Design at the College of Fashion and Design (CFD), she continues to mentor emerging designers, instilling values of sustainability, craftsmanship, and cultural integrity. For Dinesh, resilience in design means reinvention. Her philosophy bridges art, identity, and sustainability, celebrating design as both expression and endurance. “True strength,” she says, “lies in restoration and emotional connection, ensuring that design, whether worn or built, becomes a vessel for resilience and renewal.”
3.Sonali Dharmawardena: Strength Through Artistic Heritage
Renowned artist and designer Sonali Dharmawardena has worked across mediums, from pottery and jewellery to oil and watercolour painting. Yet it is through her revival of heritage Batik that she has made her most indelible mark, breathing new life into one of Sri Lanka’s most enduring crafts. By merging Batik artistry with contemporary fashion, Sonali transforms a traditional technique into a modern expression of strength and individuality. Each piece in her collection is a hand-crafted work of art, celebrating imperfection as beauty and tradition as innovation. Her work perfectly encapsulates this year’s World Architecture Day theme, “Design for Strength” demonstrating how heritage and creativity can work together to sustain identity, foster resilience, and shape continuity in the face of change.
4.Indika Jayawardena: A Global Hospitality Perspective on Design for Strength
As Hotel Manager at Amari Colombo, Indika Jayawardena brings a deep understanding of how design in hospitality can transcend aesthetics to express resilience and cultural continuity. Drawing from ONYX Hospitality Group’s global experience, Indika will discuss how architecture and design can harmonise people, planet, and purpose, creating environments that not only endure but inspire. Every Amari property embodies a dual philosophy: blending contemporary sophistication with the authenticity of its locale. In Colombo, this ethos is reflected through locally inspired materials, textures, and spatial forms that evoke connection and wellbeing. Under Indika’s leadership, Amari Colombo has emerged as a regional design benchmark, demonstrating that when creativity aligns with cultural sensitivity, hospitality can become a living expression of strength.
A Celebration of Design, Purpose, and Resilience
As Sri Lanka joins the global community in celebrating World Architecture Day 2025, Amari Colombo and Wijeya Newspapers Limited reaffirm their shared commitment to design that uplifts, empowers, and endures. By fostering dialogue across disciplines, from architecture to fashion, the initiative honours the power of creativity to rebuild and renew. Design for Strength is not just a theme; it is a vision for the future, one where heritage fuels innovation, and resilience becomes the blueprint for progress.
