SriLankan Airlines, the national airline of Sri Lanka, has launched a significant international branding initiative to promote the Colombo Nawam Maha Perahera 2026, one of the nation’s most esteemed religious and cultural festivals. This initiative is prominently featured on an Airbus A320neo, transforming the aircraft into a flying ambassador of Sri Lanka’s rich heritage.
The airline’s new aircraft livery is designed to carry the prestige, spirituality, and cultural identity of the Nawam Maha Perahera across its international routes. This effort positions the Perahera not only as a sacred Buddhist procession but also as a significant cultural and tourism attraction, highlighting Colombo as a destination known for its heritage, harmony, and tradition.
Organized under the auspices of the Gangaramaya Temple, the Nawam Maha Perahera is recognized globally for its historical importance, spiritual significance, and ceremonial splendor. The concept for this international branding initiative was proposed by Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, who identified aviation as a powerful medium for cultural diplomacy and storytelling on a global scale.
The successful execution of this initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Nawam Maha Perahera Committee, dedicated devotees and supporters, and the institutional collaboration of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Aviation, alongside the full cooperation of SriLankan Airlines. The entire international aircraft branding initiative was fully funded by the Gangaramaya Temple, in conjunction with the Nawam Maha Perahera Committee, demonstrating the Temple’s and its devotees’ commitment to preserving and promoting Sri Lanka’s religious and cultural heritage worldwide.
SriLankan Airlines offered its support at all levels of the organization. Special recognition is given to the Chairman, Board of Directors, senior management, engineering and technical teams, designers, operational staff, and frontline employees, whose combined expertise and dedication brought this cultural vision to fruition.
Recently, Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with members of the Nawam Maha Perahera Committee, visited the SriLankan Airlines engineering and operations facilities in Katunayake, accompanied by young resident Buddhist monks from the Gangaramaya Temple. During the visit, the delegation observed the progress of the aircraft branding work and offered blessings to the SriLankan Airlines team, expressing gratitude for their professionalism and commitment.
As the Airbus A320neo journeys from city to city and culture to culture, it carries the story of the Gangaramaya Temple, the Nawam Maha Perahera, and Sri Lanka’s enduring cultural values—promoting international awareness and enhancing the country’s image as a destination of faith, heritage, and cultural pride.
This initiative exemplifies how religion, culture, tourism, and national aviation can collaborate harmoniously to elevate Sri Lanka’s presence on the global stage in anticipation of the Colombo Nawam Maha Perahera 2026.
