Kavishna & Dhilukshan

Together with their parents

Mr & Mrs Ramalingam  ·  Mr & Mrs Sekar

Kavishna & Dhilukshan

3rd & 4th of April, 2027

Colombo · Sri Lanka

K & D

Our Story

It started with an introduction

Ours began the traditional way — our families met at an event, hit it off, and decided we two should meet as well. They helped us swap numbers, and the rest, as they say, is history. Now two families from two shores of the same sea have the very best excuse to bring everyone they love to Colombo.

Kavishna and Dhilukshan sitting together at home, Kavishna in a maroon saree
Kavishna and Dhilukshan laughing together at a theme park
Kavishna and Dhilukshan kayaking down a palm-lined waterway in Sri Lanka

Kavishna

Software engineer, living in Chennai.

Dhilukshan

Co-founder of Vulcan Fitness, living in Brisbane.

Both born and raised in Sri Lanka — which is exactly why we're bringing everyone home to Colombo.

The Celebrations

Four days in Colombo

An optional rooftop hello once you've landed, a drop-in day at Dhil's family home, a traditional morning wedding, and a night of celebration to finish.

Thursday · Optional

Welcome Drinks

1 April 2027 · 7pm till late

The Bar on the Top
Rooftop, Granbell Hotel Colombo, Marine Drive · map

Dress Relaxed & breezy — drop in whenever you've landed

Drinks Open bar — on us

Friday · Optional

Drop In at the Family Home

2 April 2027 · 3pm – 6pm

Dhil's family home
7 Peterson Lane, Colombo 6 · map

Drop in anytime between 3 and 6 Dhil's parents would love to see everyone for a hello! Come by for evening tea and snacks.

Saturday

The Wedding

3 April 2027 · 7am – 2pm

New Kathiresan Wedding Hall
Galle Road, Bambalapitiya, Colombo · map

The Thaali · 10amthe moment not to miss

Dress Women — saree · Men — shirt & veshti · full guide

Sunday

The Reception

4 April 2027 · 7pm – 12am

The Mahogany, Cinnamon Grand Colombo
77 Galle Road, Colombo 3 · map Dinner, dancing, and an open bar

Dress Men — suits · Women — evening dress

Everything is a 10-minute ride. The Granbell, New Kathiresan Wedding Hall, and Cinnamon Grand are all just a few kilometres apart — pool into groups and grab a PickMe or Uber car, or a tuk-tuk, and you're there in ten minutes.
Your days are your own. The 2nd (drop in at the family home whenever suits) and the 4th until the evening are free — a pool morning, a spa afternoon, a stroll on Galle Face Green, saree shopping, or a well-earned recovery.

Kindly Respond

RSVP

One RSVP per household, please — and include everyone, kids and plus-ones too. We'll ask which events you're joining, any dietary needs, and whether you'd like an airport pickup — just give us your flight number and we'll organise it.

Please respond as soon as you can — knowing our numbers early helps us plan everything from airport taxis to table seats, and Colombo hotels fill fast around our dates.

No flights yet? RSVP anyway. You can add flight details, extra guests, or change anything later — every RSVP comes with an edit link, and there's a quick update form too.

RSVP now Join the WhatsApp group

Where You'll Stay

Stay with us at the Granbell

We've secured a special wedding rate at the Granbell Hotel Colombo — a stylish seafront hotel on Marine Drive with a rooftop infinity pool, right where the welcome drinks happen and ten minutes from everything. Breakfast included, and you book directly with the hotel for the exact dates you need.

SingleUSD 90
Double or TwinUSD 100
TripleUSD 120

Net, per room per night · Bed & breakfast · Valid 29 March – 7 April 2027 · Minimum two nights

1

You RSVP

Tell us who's coming — and whether you'd like an airport pickup — so we know our numbers and can have a taxi waiting.

2

Email the hotel

Email Sumaya at the Granbell with your names, dates and room type — quote the KAVISHNADHIL wedding party and CC Dhil and Suresh. The button fills it all in for you.

sumaya@bellunalanka.lk
cc dhil@vulcanfitness.com.au & suresh@heedpro.com.au

3

You're booked

The hotel confirms directly with you and you settle your stay with them — most guests stay 3–4 nights, and arriving early or staying on is easy.

Prefer to stay somewhere else? Totally fine — go for it, no problem at all. Just book early either way: between the Easter holidays and the lead-up to Sinhala & Tamil New Year, Colombo hotels fill fast. (We'd still love the whole gang under one roof — and by one pool.)

The Dress Code

What to wear — and where to get it

Traditional dress makes the day, but it's an invitation, not a rule — wear it only if you're keen. Smart, bright, and comfortable is always right.

Dhil's mum in a red and gold traditional saree, with friends Chris and Nic either side of her wearing shirts and cream veshtis at a Sri Lankan wedding
Dhil's mum in a traditional saree — and Chris & Nic proving the shirt-and-veshti look suits absolutely everyone.
Orchard Shopping Complex, a blue and white building on Galle Road, Colombo, with saree shops at street level
Spot the shop — Women: Orchard Shopping Complex, 7 Galle Road · map
LifeStyle Clothing Store at Wellawatte Bridge on Galle Road, Colombo — a corner shopfront at the traffic lights with mannequins in kurtas and veshtis in the window
Spot the shop — Men: LifeStyle Clothing Store, at the Wellawatte Bridge lights on Galle Road · map

The looks, day by day

Welcome drinks: relaxed rooftop wear. The wedding: sarees for the women, shirt and veshti for the men — exactly as pictured. Bright, festive colour is perfect for the wedding day. That said, traditional dress is an invitation, not a rule: if a veshti isn't your thing, a shirt and trousers are absolutely fine, and a dress works just as well as a saree. Please don't stress — come as you're comfortable. The reception: suits for the men, evening dresses for the women.

Sarees — shop with us in Colombo

Planning to wear one? Head to Orchard Shopping Complex, 7 Galle Road, Colombo (map). Let us know when you're hoping to go — or go as a group — and we'll organise a family member to be there to help you choose. In Colombo earlier in the week? Head there as soon as you can — the earlier, the better. Saree blouses are stitched to your size right there at the same place, so timing matters: pick your saree by the morning of 2 April at the latest — the blouse is tailored on the spot in a few hours (usually 3–5), ready to collect by the evening. Do tell us in your RSVP if you're planning to buy a saree, so we can give the tailor a heads-up.

Arriving on the evening of the 2nd, or the stitching just doesn't work out? No stress at all — ready-made blouses are sold right there in standard sizes, and they look just as lovely with a saree.

Draping & make-up on the morning

Never draped a saree? We've got you. On the wedding morning, 3 April from 5am onwards, stylists will come to the Granbell Hotel to dress your saree and do your make-up. Sort yourselves into groups of 3–4 — everyone will be ready well before the 7am arrival.

Veshtis for the men

Easy: drop into LifeStyle Clothing Store, Wellawatte Bridge, Galle Road, Colombo 6 (map) any day before the wedding and buy one off the shelf — ask for the ready-to-wear ottiko kattiko style, which simply wraps on, no folding skills required. Pair it with a shirt in any colour but black, and any of the contacts can help with sizing.

Getting There

Travel & visas from Australia

Colombo is closer than you think — one flight, no jet-lag drama, and you land in the tropics.

Flights from Brisbane

There's no non-stop flight from Brisbane, but one easy stop gets you there in around 13–15 hours all up. The best options: Singapore Airlines via Singapore (several flights a day, about 13½ hours — the smoothest connection), Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur (about 13 hours, often the cheapest), Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong (about 15½ hours), or Thai Airways via Bangkok. Alternatively, hop down to Melbourne for SriLankan Airlines' daily non-stop to Colombo (Jetstar also flies it a few days a week), or to Sydney for SriLankan's non-stop several days a week — about 14½–15½ hours in total either way.

From Sydney: SriLankan Airlines flies non-stop several days a week (around 11¼ hours), or connect via Singapore.

Got Qantas points? SriLankan is a oneworld partner, so Qantas Classic Reward seats can be redeemed on the Sydney–Colombo non-stop, on Jetstar's Melbourne–Colombo flights, and from Brisbane on Qantas to Singapore with SriLankan onward, or via Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines) and Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific). Velocity points work on Singapore Airlines. Reward seats around Easter vanish early, so search now.

All international flights arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), about 35 km north of Colombo — around 60 minutes by expressway to the Granbell, up to 90 in peak traffic (7–9am and 4–6pm).

Want an airport pickup? We'll organise it. Say yes in the RSVP and give us your flight number, and we'll arrange taxis from the airport to the Granbell, pooling guests who land around the same time. Prefer to sort your own? Go for it, no worries — a taxi from the arrivals counters or a PickMe/Uber runs around A$40. For the trip home, the hotel front desk will book you a taxi to the airport — allow 60 minutes, or up to 90 in peak traffic (7–9am and 4–6pm), and about A$40.
Book early — we mean it. Our wedding falls the weekend after Easter 2027, right in the Australian school holidays, and with the lead-up to Sinhala & Tamil New Year, Colombo's flights and hotels fill fast. Once you know you're coming, lock in your fare and email the Granbell for your room.

Visas

Australian passport holders currently receive a free tourist visa (ETA) for Sri Lanka, valid for stays of up to 30 days. Apply online before you fly at the official government portal — approval usually lands by email within a day or two.

Apply only via the official site: eta.gov.lk. Ignore lookalike sites that charge "service fees". Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond arrival. Rules can change, so double-check closer to travel.

New to a Hindu Wedding?

What to expect on the day

Ours is a traditional ceremony — joyful, colourful, and full of music. Arrive at 7, the thaali at 10, lunch and photos to follow. Here's the short guide so you can relax and enjoy it.

The arrival

7.00 am

Arrive around 7am for the garland blessing — guests bless the couple by gently lifting the garland they're wearing and placing it back over their heads. You'll see it done, and it takes ten seconds. Then head in for breakfast — yes, you're fed first. Expect the sound of the nadaswaram and drums, flowers everywhere, and a hall full of colour. Find a seat anywhere — there's no "side".

The rituals

the heart of it

The priest leads a series of blessings around a sacred fire, and the couple exchange garlands. It's warm and unhurried — guests chat quietly, come and go, and children wander. That's all completely normal.

The thaali

10.00 am

This is the moment. The tying of the thaali (a sacred gold necklace) seals the marriage — the drums surge, everyone stands, and flower petals and blessings rain down. Whatever else you do, be in the hall at 10.

Lunch

come hungry

After the thaali comes a proper feast — fully vegetarian, as tradition calls for — with generous helpings of Sri Lankan and South Indian food. Expect to be fed until you surrender.

Photos at the stage

after lunch

Once lunch settles, everyone comes back to the stage for photos with the couple — family groups, friend groups, the whole lot. Don't slip away before you've had yours! The day wraps up around 2pm.

A few courtesies

good to know

Bright, festive colours are wonderful — best to avoid all-black outfits. You'll slip your shoes off in parts of the hall, so easy slip-ons are a smart choice. The hall is strictly alcohol-free.

Outfit sorted? Everything about sarees, veshtis, where to shop, and the tailoring deadlines lives in the dress code section.

Make a Holiday of It

Explore Sri Lanka

If you're flying this far, stay a while. Everything below fits in a few extra days — and early April is a lovely time to see the island.

Galle Fort

~1.5 hrs south

A 17th-century Dutch fort town of ramparts, boutiques, and sunset walks — the easiest and most rewarding day trip from Colombo, straight down the expressway.

Southern beaches

2–3 hrs south

Unawatuna, Mirissa, and Weligama: palm-fringed swimming beaches, seafood shacks, and surf lessons. Whale-watching season off Mirissa runs into April.

Kandy

~3–4 hrs inland

The hill capital and home of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, wrapped around a lake and surrounded by misty green hills.

Tea country & Ella

5–6 hrs inland

Ride one of the world's most beautiful train lines through tea plantations to Ella — waterfalls, hikes, and cool mountain air.

Sigiriya

~4 hrs north-east

The ancient rock fortress rising out of the jungle — climb it at dawn, then add an elephant safari at a nearby national park.

In Colombo itself

right here

Sunset kites on Galle Face Green, the Gangaramaya Temple, the bazaars of Pettah, Independence Square, rooftop dinners below the Lotus Tower — and a spa afternoon, which in Colombo is superb and very affordable.

Planning to come early? Tap to open

A rough plan: 26 March → 5 April

Fly out Friday, land Saturday, three nights on the south coast, two in the tea hills of Ella — then the four days of celebrations in Colombo, all in one view.

Thinking of flying out on the 26th and landing on the 27th? Here's one way to spend the days before the wedding. It's a starting point, not a schedule — swap things in and out as you please.

Fri 26 MarFly out

Leave Australia

Evening departure from Brisbane, an overnight connection through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and you land in Colombo on Saturday — morning or early afternoon depending on the connection. (It's Good Friday, so no leave needed for the first day.)

Sat 27 MarLand & head south

Straight down the coast

From the airport, a driver takes you onto the Southern Expressway without touching Colombo traffic — about 2½ hours to Weligama, closer to 3 for Hiriketiya. Check into your villa, first swim before sunset, dinner with your feet in the sand.

Landing late? One night near the airport or in Colombo and an early drive down is the gentler option.

Sun 28 – Mon 29 MarTwo full days

Beach days on the south coast

Base yourselves in one villa and pick two or three of these — each is an easy tuk-tuk or driver hop from the others.

  • Hiriketiya. A small, perfect horseshoe bay — gentle surf for beginners, calm swimming, and long café breakfasts in the jungle behind it. The one everyone falls for.
  • Weligama Bay. The place to learn to surf — a wide, forgiving beach with lessons on every corner. Koggala's stilt fishermen and Handunugoda Tea Estate are just up the road.
  • Mirissa morning. Whale-watching boats leave around 6.30am and the season runs into April — blue whales, if you're lucky. Then Coconut Tree Hill and Secret Beach for the afternoon.
  • Galle Fort at sunset. An hour up the coast — walk the 17th-century ramparts as the light goes, then dinner in the lanes inside the fort.
  • Ahangama & Midigama. The surf-and-café stretch between Weligama and Galle — Kabalana beach, sunset drinks, the most relaxed corner of the coast.
  • Tangalle & beyond. Wide, empty beaches at Goyambokka and Silent Beach, the Hummanaya blowhole near Dikwella, and turtles coming ashore at Rekawa after dark.
Tue 30 MarCoast → hills

Elephants on the way up

Leave the villa early and head inland via Udawalawe National Park — a jeep safari here means hundreds of elephants, near enough guaranteed, and it sits right on the road to Ella. Back in the van by early afternoon, up through the hills, and you're in Ella by evening as the air turns cool. Around four hours of driving all up, nicely split by the safari.

Wed 31 MarElla

A day in tea country

Little Adam's Peak at sunrise (an easy 45-minute walk), then the Nine Arches Bridge as a train curls across it. In the afternoon, ride the famous hill-country line yourself — the short hop from Ella to Demodara or Haputale is the prettiest stretch, no need for the whole nine hours. Ravana Falls, a tea-factory tour, and a long dinner on Ella's main street to finish.

Thu 1 AprBack to Colombo

Down to the Granbell

It's a proper drive from Ella to Colombo — allow 5 to 6 hours — so leave by 8am, roll into the Granbell early afternoon, shower, and see you on the rooftop at 7pm for welcome drinks.

Then the wedding days — the short version · full details in Events

Fri 2 AprOptional

Drop In at the Family Home

7 Peterson Lane, Colombo 6 — swing by between 3pm and 6pm for evening tea and snacks. The rest of the day is your own.

Sat 3 AprThe big day

The wedding

New Kathiresan Wedding Hall, 7am–2pm — garland blessing and breakfast on arrival, the thaali at 10am sharp. The full guide is in The Ceremony.

Sun 4 AprOne more party

The reception

The Mahogany, Cinnamon Grand, 7pm–12am — dinner, dancing and an open bar. Your day is free until the evening; the spa gets our vote.

Mon 5 AprHome time

Sad goodbyes

Breakfast at the Granbell, then homeward — or stay on a few more days; the island doesn't run out.

Where to stay

On the coast, look on Airbnb — that's where the best villas are. Search by area rather than by town:

  • Hiriketiya / Dikwella / Talalla — boutique villas in the jungle behind the bay, quieter beaches either side. Our first pick.
  • Weligama / Ahangama / Midigama — the surfy, café-filled stretch, best placed for Galle and Mirissa.
  • Tangalle — further east, the big private villas with pools and empty beaches; closest to Yala.
  • Talpe / Habaraduwa / Unawatuna — closest to Galle Fort if you want restaurants and a town on hand.

In Ella, it's small hotels and guesthouses perched over the valley — only two nights, so pick for the view rather than the pool.

Good to know

  • Pool into a group of 6–10 and take a whole villa with a pool and a cook — most come with staff who'll do breakfast and a rice-and-curry dinner for very little.
  • Book early. It's the Easter long weekend (Good Friday is the 26th, Easter Sunday the 28th), so the good places — on the coast and in Ella — will go.
  • Check the beach out front is swimmable — Hiriketiya, Weligama Bay, Unawatuna and Goyambokka are the reliably calm ones.
  • Getting around: one driver and van for the whole loop — airport, coast, Ella, Colombo — is by far the easiest way to move a group; around the villa, tuk-tuks are everywhere and PickMe works on the south coast.

Prefer to stay put? Five nights at the villa works just as well — do Udawalawe or Yala as a day trip (about two hours east of Hiriketiya) and skip the hills. Then it's an easy 2½–3 hours up the expressway to Colombo on the Thursday.

Villas, resorts and drivers. For a villa or beach resort before or after the wedding, Airbnb is your best bet — we've done the digging, and that's where the good ones are. If you'd like a private driver with a vehicle for the trip (highly recommended for a group), or just want a second opinion on a place, email Dhil's cousin Suresh at suresh@heedpro.com.au or WhatsApp +61 433 412 717 and he'll help you organise it.

Good to Know

The practical bits

Can I bring the kids? A plus-one?

Yes and yes — children and partners are warmly welcome at everything. Just include every name in your RSVP so we can count seats, plates, and hotel beds properly.

Gifts?

Strictly no gifts, please — we mean it. You're crossing an ocean to be with us, and that is the whole present.

Will there be drinks?

Welcome drinks — open bar, on us. The wedding hall — strictly alcohol-free, as tradition calls for. The reception — yes, the bar will be open.

What exactly do I wear again?

Traditional dress is warmly encouraged but entirely optional — sarees and veshtis for the wedding, suits and evening wear for the reception. The full guide, including saree shopping in Colombo and the blouse-tailoring deadline, is in the dress code section.

What's the weather like in April?

Warm and tropical — days around 30–32°C, balmy evenings, and the odd brief afternoon shower. Pack light, breathable fabrics, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and maybe a small umbrella.

Money

The currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) — roughly 1 AUD ≈ 235 LKR (as of August 2026, so check before you fly), meaning LKR 1,000 is about A$4. Cards are accepted at hotels and most restaurants, but taxis and tuk-tuks are cash only — carry rupees. Change money at a currency counter when you land, or use a local ATM: a Wise or Up card lets you withdraw cash in Sri Lanka at good rates with low fees.

Phones & data

Grab a cheap tourist SIM or eSIM from Dialog or Mobitel — counters are right in the arrivals hall, or set an eSIM up before you fly. Coverage is excellent.

Power & plugs

230V with Type D and Type G (UK-style) sockets — Australian plugs need an adapter. Most hotels can lend you one, but it's easiest to pack your own.

Time difference

Sri Lanka is 4½ hours behind Brisbane, and 5½ hours behind Sydney and Melbourne over the wedding weekend. The jet lag is gentle — you'll be fine by the first arrack sour.

Anything else?

English is spoken everywhere, so getting around is easy. Drink bottled or filtered water, tip around 10% where service charge isn't added, and remember they drive on the left — just like home.

Questions?

WhatsApp any of us

Nothing is impossible in Sri Lanka — so please ask any of us anything. And join the guest WhatsApp group — it's where the saree trips, taxi pools and 5am draping slots get sorted. Really, anything at all — food spots in Colombo, a problem with a booking, help with whatever — drop a text in the group and one of the contacts below will jump in.

Join the guest WhatsApp group

Dhilukshan

The Groom · Australia

+61 404 969 244

Kavishna

The Bride · India

+94 77 460 7490

Satheekshan

Groom's Brother · United Kingdom

+44 7922 704758

Vishalni

Groom's Sister · Australia

+61 481 951 794

Suresh Ganeshan

Groom's Cousin · Australia

+61 433 412 717

Gowtham

Groom's Cousin · Colombo

+94 77 340 1288