COLOMBO CITY CENTRE
Supun Perera is the Chief Executive Officer of Colombo City Centre (CCC), a flagship development of the Abans Group. With a background spanning engineering, finance and business leadership, he has held key positions in the Abans Group and the National Development Bank (NDB).
Under his leadership, CCC has strengthened its position as a leading lifestyle destination through innovation, strategic partnerships and an enhanced customer experience.
Q: Colombo City Centre has established itself as one of Sri Lanka’s leading lifestyle destinations. How do you define its role in today’s retail landscape?
A: CCC was envisioned as more than a conventional shopping mall. As Colombo’s first international standard mall and Sri Lanka’s pioneering integrated mixed use development, it brings together retail, dining, entertainment, hospitality and luxury residences within a single urban destination.
Its role today extends far beyond transactions. Families, professionals, tourists and young consumers visit Colombo City Centre not simply to shop but to connect, celebrate, dine and spend meaningful time together. This has made CCC an important part of Colombo’s evolving social and lifestyle landscape.
Q: How are changing consumer expectations influencing CCC’s strategy?
A: Consumers increasingly expect convenience, personalisation and experiences that complement their lifestyles. Our strategy is centred on understanding how different audiences engage with Colombo City Centre and continually responding to their changing expectations.
We achieve this through a dynamic tenant mix, curated events, family focussed activities, loyalty programmes, digital engagement and partnerships that add value to each visit. Our objective is to keep CCC fresh, accessible and engaging while building deeper relationships with our customers.
Q: Colombo City Centre is a flagship development of the Abans Group. How has that relationship contributed to its success?
A: CCC reflects the Abans Group’s ability to translate a bold vision into landmark developments that create enduring value. With nearly six decades of experience across multiple sectors, the group brings deep consumer insight, strong international partnerships, financial strength and the operational capabilities required to deliver and sustain a development of this scale.
The group’s credibility, diversified expertise and long-term commitment have provided CCC a strong foundation for growth. More importantly, we embody the Abans philosophy of creating ‘a better way to life’ by bringing modern retail, hospitality, residential living and community experiences together within one connected destination.
Q: With the continued growth of e-commerce, what is the future of physical retail?
A: E-commerce has transformed convenience but physical retail offers something digital platforms cannot fully replicate: human connection, discovery and shared experience.
The future belongs to destinations that give people compelling reasons to visit.
Shopping must coexist with dining, entertainment, hospitality, culture and community engagement. CCC is well positioned for this future as it enables customers to move seamlessly between multiple experiences rather than visiting merely to complete a transaction.
Q: What distinguishes CCC from other retail and lifestyle destinations?
A: Our distinction lies in the quality, diversity and inclusivity of the overall experience. Colombo City Centre combines a carefully curated selection of local and international brands with varied dining, entertainment and hospitality offerings in the heart of Colombo.
A family spending the day together, professionals meeting after work, tourists discovering the city and young consumers exploring new brands can each experience CCC differently. This ability to remain relevant gives the destination its unique energy and enduring appeal.
Q: How important is innovation in maintaining CCC’s competitive position?
A: Innovation is essential because customer expectations never remain static. For us, it extends beyond technology to include reimagining spaces, introducing original experiences, developing strategic collaborations and finding more meaningful ways to engage visitors.
We continuously explore ideas that improve convenience and create a sense of discovery. By ensuring that visitors encounter something fresh and engaging, we strengthen customer loyalty while enhancing the commercial value we provide to our tenants and partners.
Q: How does CCC approach sustainability as a major mixed use development?
A: Sustainability is a continuous responsibility that influences how we manage energy, resources and the built environment. By integrating retail, residential and hospitality spaces within one centrally located development, Colombo City Centre supports a more connected and efficient approach to urban living.
As part of the Abans Group, we are aligned with its broader commitment to responsible growth, environmental stewardship and sustainable value creation. Our focus is to improve operational efficiency while providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment that contributes positively to the city and its communities.
Q: What is your vision for Colombo City Centre over the next five years?
A: Our vision is to strengthen CCC’s position as Sri Lanka’s most progressive lifestyle destination. This will involve attracting leading local and international brands, introducing original concepts, deepening digital engagement, and creating experiences that respond to the changing aspirations of local and international visitors.
Supported by the heritage, scale and diversified capabilities of the Abans Group, CCC has the foundation to shape the next chapter of urban retail and lifestyle experiences in the country. We will continue setting new benchmarks while remaining a destination that evolves with the city, its people and their aspirations.
– Compiled by Tamara Rebeira
COMPANY DETAILS
- Telephone: 0702 514811
- Email: info@colombocitycentre.lk
- Website: www.colombocitycentre.lk
