Shamalie and the late Felix Congreve, together with Ranmalee and Sarath Silva warmly invite you to celebrate the marriage of their loving children
Samitha Dilini Congreve
&
Emmanuel Sirimal Silva
— 16th July 2026 —
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Kindly RSVP by 1st of March 2026
SCHEDULE
THURSDAY 16TH OF JULY, 2026
3:00 PM — CHURCH CEREMONY
ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH BORELLA, COLOMBO
Please join us as we gather at All Saints Church to witness the blessing of our union in a sacred and heartfelt ceremony.
5:00 PM, 16TH JULY 2026 — PORUWA CEREMONY & RECEPTION
ITC RATNADIPA, COLOMBO
Following the church ceremony, please join us at ITC Ratnadipa for our traditional Poruwa ceremony, followed by an evening of celebration, dinner, and dancing.
PORUWA
The Poruwa Ceremony (Magul Uthsavaya) is a traditional Sri Lankan marriage ceremony that has been in existence for over 2500 years.
THE PORUWA SIRITHA
The ceremony is conducted by a Shilpadhihpathi (a Maestro), who chants ‘Mangala Ashteka’ — verses written in the ancient languages of Sanskrit and Pali that extol the virtues of the Triple Gems (the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha), with the hope of invoking their blessings on the couple.
THE AUSPICIOUS SEVEN
Seven sheaves of betel are handed to the couple to be placed on the floor of the Poruwa, commemorating seven generations of relatives from both families, as the couple seek their blessings.
THE NUPTIAL KNOT
Said to be the most important rite, the father of the Bride or a loved one unites the couple in matrimony by tying together the couple’s little fingers with gold thread. Water is poured over the fingers while the Shilpadhihpathi blesses the union.
NEW BEGINNINGS
The bride’s mother presents a plate of kiribath (milk rice) to the bride and they feed each other. Kiribath is a traditional rice dish in celebrations. The groom’s mother will offer a glass of milk to the couple to sip and they feed each other. These customs reflect the first meal they take from their parents before they take the first meal together.
JAYAMANGALA GATHA
The Jayamangala Gatha is a traditional Buddhist blessing chant recounting the Buddha’s eight great victories through wisdom and compassion. It is typically recited at weddings after the main rituals, just before the couple steps down from the platform.
GIFTS
Having you with us on our special day is the greatest gift and we are so excited to celebrate with you. For those who wish to offer a gift, we are grateful for contributions that support our plans for the future.
Q & A
Big welcome to our wedding guests flying in from near and far. It means so much to have you with us. We’ve put together this Q&A to help make your journey to Sri Lanka and our wedding as smooth as possible.
Arrival and Visa for Sri Lanka
You’ll land at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). All foreign guests must obtain an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) before arrival. Processing is usually quick, but we recommend applying 2–4 weeks before travel. SIM cards are available at the airport.
What will the weather be like?
During July, Colombo typically experiences warm temperatures ranging from 27–30°C. The humidity is generally high, creating a distinctly tropical feel throughout the day.
What is the dress code?
Sri Lankan wedding attire typically includes Western formal wear and traditional attire. Most guests avoid white or ivory, as these are traditionally associated with the bride. Colombo has excellent tailors and saree boutiques that can help you select and style traditional outfits. If you'd like, we can recommend trusted places for tailoring and saree draping.
Accommodation
Our wedding will be held at ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo. There are several wonderful hotels within walking distance or a very short drive. Here are some convenient options for your stay:
Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams (3–5 minutes from the venue)
Taj Samudra, Colombo (3–5 minutes from the venue)
Shangri-La Colombo (5 minutes from the venue)
Galle Face Hotel (5–7 minutes from the venue)
Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo (7 minutes from the venue)
We recommend booking early, as this area tends to fill up quickly.
