Celeste, Sri Lanka’s largest and fastest-growing on-demand cloud grocery store, celebrated its 4th anniversary with a grand event at the Union Ballroom, Hilton Colombo Residencies. The theme for the evening, “Strengthening Bonds, Celebrating People,” set the tone for an unforgettable night attended by over 200 guests, including key industry leaders, partners, influencers, and well-wishers.
The event was a testament to Celeste’s remarkable journey over the past four years, marked by the launch of their new website and brand video, and a heartfelt recognition of all individuals who have contributed to the company’s success. Celeste remains true to its founding vision of enhancing user experience and providing customers seamless access to Sri Lanka’s most extensive range of grocery products delivered directly to their doorsteps. Following this, the unveiling of the Celeste brand video encapsulated the company’s ethos and vision, highlighting their commitment to innovation, quality, and community.
In his opening address, Mr. Janik Jayasuriya, Founder and Managing Director of Celeste, expressed his gratitude towards the attendees and emphasised the importance of the community that has supported Celeste’s growth. “Our journey has been extraordinary, and it’s the people—our customers, partners, and employees—who have made it possible. Today, we celebrate not just our achievements, but the strong bonds we have forged along the way,” said Mr. Jayasuriya.
The celebration was made possible by the generous support of several key partners. MasterCard, the title partner, perfectly encapsulated the evening’s spirit with their tagline, “Priceless Moments.” Key partners included Nestlé, Unilever, UberEats, PickMe Market, Durex, and Red Bull. Other notable partners were Coca-Cola, Fonterra, Alerics, CBL, Rockland, Pepsi, Heineken, HappyHen, and Hilton Colombo Residencies. The guest list was a testament to Celeste’s extensive network and influence, featuring prominent figures such as Mr. Vasantha Jayasuriya, Founder and Group Managing Director of Jaysons Group, Mrs. Chamila Jayasuriya, Group Director of Jaysons Group, and Directors Mr. Vivek Jayasuriya and Mr. Tarik Jayasuriya. The event also saw the presence of cultural icons Kalashuri Channa Wijewardene and Upulie Panibharatha, and key industry leaders like Mr. Sandun Hapugoda, Country Manager for Sri Lanka & Maldives at MasterCard, and Mr. Jiffry Zulfer, Founder and CEO of PickMe.
In a statement during the event, Mr. Sandun Hapugoda, Country Manager for MasterCard Sri Lanka & Maldives, remarked, “MasterCard is thrilled to partner with Celeste on this significant milestone. Our collaboration is a celebration of shared values—innovation, customer satisfaction, and creating priceless experiences. We look forward to many more years of partnership and success.” Mr. Varun Wijewardene, General Manager of Uber Sri Lanka, also expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership. “Celeste has set a new benchmark in the online grocery delivery sector, and UberEats is proud to be part of this journey. Together, we are revolutionizing convenience and accessibility for consumers across Sri Lanka,” he said.
Attendees were treated to a lavish dinner and an evening of entertainment, featuring performances by local artists and a showcase of Celeste’s journey through a series of videos and presentations.
Photo Captions
Janik Jayasuriya, Founder/Managing Director of Celeste and Sandun Hapugoda, Country Manager (Sri Lanka & Maldives) of Mastercard at the event.
