Melco’s City of Dreams Sri Lanka will hold its Grand Opening on 2 August, but will have to do so without the presence of the event’s main attraction after Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was a late withdrawal.
Khan’s agency issued a statement on Thursday in which it said the actor could not attend “due to unforeseen and unavoidable personal reasons beyond his control.”
It added, “Sri Lanka and its wonderful people hold a special place in Mr Khan’s heart, and he was genuinely excited to be part of this celebration. He regrets his inability to attend and extends his heartfelt gratitude to the management of City of Dreams Sri Lanka and well-wishers for their overwhelming enthusiasm and support. We look forward to future opportunities where Mr Khan can visit Sri Lanka.”
Local media reports noted that Khan’s absence won’t dampen celebrations with the event to continue as planned.
City of Dreams Sri Lanka is a joint venture between Melco Resorts & Entertainment and local partner John Keells Holdings PLC, with the casino located within John Keels’ larger Cinnamon Life complex. Melco’s operation will include a world-class casino, luxury Nüwa hotel and a premium shopping mall.
Melco first revealed its Sri Lankan casino plans after being issued a 20-year license in April 2024, with the company having spent around US$125 million according to previously released information.
Cinnamon Life itself represents a US$1.2 billion investment by John Keels, featuring a total of 800 hotel rooms and suites. Of these, 687 rooms will come under the Cinnamon Life hotel brand with Melco operating 113 “ultra-luxury” rooms under Nüwa. The property will also boast MICE space, a collection of signature dining experiences involving internationally acclaimed chefs, and immersive entertainment spaces for international performances and cultural showcases.
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