Independence Market - Sri Lanka's first ‘Shoppertainment’ experience launched

Sri Lanka’s first ‘Shoppertainment’ Experience - ‘Independence Market’ was launched at the Independence Arcade on December 12 in the presence of Chief Guest Dr. Bandula Gunawardana, Minister of Trade for Sri Lanka and Guest of Honour - Namal Rajapaksa, Minister of Youth & Sports for Sri Lanka. 

The launch event which provided attendees with live music and entertainment welcomed over 50 local entrepreneurs from the food & beverage, arts & crafts, handloom & batik industries, the company said in a media release.

The project also welcomed new partners - Bathiya & Santhush of ‘Showtown’ - to further promote their upcoming weekly events as they aid in creating a sustainable network of local entrepreneurs.

Commenting on the launch of the Independence Market - Founder - Udara Rathnayake said: “The concept behind the Independence Market is to support local vendors to grow, providing them with an opportunity or rather a market-place where they have access to potential customers.” 

The Independence Market’s goal is to provide a marketplace for Sri Lankan entrepreneurs who produce export quality products, considering the current global economy and export markets. The Independence Market also hopes to expand internationally to assist more entrepreneurs with the opportunity to reach a larger audience. 

Thusara Karunanayaka, General Manager - Showtown Entertainment Pvt Ltd, said: “Independence Market is a timely initiative which offers great opportunities to small and medium entrepreneurs to be exposed to new and larger markets. It holds prospects for these enterprises and trades to reach out to the export market as well. The focus of Independence Market is mainly on local trades. It will also offer ‘Shoppertainment’ to the participants bringing a new shopping experience to the consumers. Showtown Entertainment considers this as a great opportunity to be able to be an active stakeholder for this worthy affair”. 

Caption: From left - Jayantha Rathnayake - Director, Katana upcycle; Dr. Bandula Gunawardana - Minister of Trade for Sri Lanka; Udara Rathnayake - Founder, Independence Market; and Fiona Nanayakkara - Founder News Publisher.