Colombo City Centre partners with Creative Isle to present “CAN Weekend Market”

• Inaugural event featuring vendors from around Sri Lanka showcasing their export quality products at wholesale rates kicks off on Friday

Creative Isle, in collaboration with Colombo City Centre, announced the launch of the Ceylon Artisan Network (CAN) Market, the first 3-day weekend market, to be held at the Colombo City Centre Atrium. The CAN Market was created as a platform to support micro-entrepreneurship from across the island, where it is scheduled to commence from 28 August onwards and will take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Chief Guest and Sri Lankan cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan will be gracing the launch on Friday 28 August at 4.30 pm.  

The weekend market will feature vendors from around Sri Lanka, showcasing their export quality products at wholesale rates, whilst allowing them the opportunity to form new trade partnerships with bulk buyers. Focusing on sustainable and community-driven businesses, the fair will consist of home and lifestyle products, fashion accessories, artisan food products, herbal teas and Ayurveda cosmetics, soaps and fragrances, etc. 

The CAN Market further supports and features recycle and up-cycle initiatives and products, and will be an opportunity for creative entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative products and services to the B2C and B2B markets.

Creative Isle Founder Keshini Ann Suraweera noted, “The crux of this project was birthed during the imposed COVID-19 lockdown, when most creative entrepreneurs experienced a downward trend in growth, stunting their ability to continue with their business efficiently. Identifying the gap in the current business landscape, I wanted to provide local vendors with a space where they could showcase their raw talent, which may otherwise have been undiscovered simply due to the lack of a platform to present themselves.” 

The CAN Market has received immense support from partners such as Colombo City Centre, the Foundation of Goodness, National Enterprise Development Authority (NEDA) and UNDP, in a bid to further uplift Sri Lanka and support its SMEs and entrepreneurs most affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative welcomes on board Scope Cinemas as Cinema Partner and Antyra Solutions as Social Media Partner. Iconic businessman and corporate leader Dilith Jayaweera is expected to address the gathering at the event launch, to encourage and uplift the spirit of entrepreneurship.

Concluding, Suraweera commented, “Together we can make a difference to support local creative businesses around Sri Lanka. CAN Market will act as a platform to welcome Sri Lanka’s finest artisans to the heart of the City, at the Colombo City Centre Atrium, every Friday to Sunday from 10.30 am to 9 pm.”