Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is set to welcome a new travel marketplace designed around one country rather than global travel coverage. Ceylon Nooks, founded by Sri Lankan born Australian entrepreneur Akila Liyanage, will launch on 28 October 2026 as a platform focused exclusively on connecting travellers with local tourism operators across Sri Lanka.
The marketplace aims to bring together independent businesses such as guesthouses, local drivers, tour guides, cooking class providers and surf schools. Through one platform, travellers can discover experiences, places to stay and transport options while local operators can reach visitors without needing to manage all aspects of digital marketing themselves.
Ceylon Nooks is registered in Australia as Ceylon Nooks Pty Ltd and operates with a connection between Sri Lanka and Australia through its founder. The platform reflects a growing interest in travel services that focus on local knowledge, smaller operators and country-specific experiences.
What Is Ceylon Nooks and How Does It Work?
Ceylon Nooks is a travel marketplace built exclusively for Sri Lanka. Unlike large international booking websites that cover thousands of destinations worldwide, the platform focuses on understanding the needs of one country and its tourism community.
The marketplace is organised into three main categories: Experiences, Stays and Transport.
The Experiences category is designed for travellers looking for local activities. This can include cultural activities, food experiences, outdoor adventures and other activities provided by local hosts.
The Stays category connects visitors with accommodation providers such as independent guesthouses and locally managed properties. These businesses often offer personal service and local knowledge but may have limited access to global travellers.
The Transport category supports travel needs within Sri Lanka by connecting visitors with local transport providers and drivers who understand the country’s roads, locations and travel routes.
By combining these services in one place, Ceylon Nooks aims to make trip planning easier while helping small tourism businesses become more visible.
Why a Sri Lanka-Focused Travel Marketplace Is Different
Many global travel platforms treat countries as one destination among many. While these platforms provide wide access, smaller tourism operators can find it difficult to stand out among thousands of listings from around the world.
Sri Lanka has many independent businesses that provide unique travel experiences. Small guesthouses, local guides, cooking teachers and activity providers often have strong knowledge of their communities. However, reaching international travellers can require time, marketing skills and online tools that some small operators may not have.
Ceylon Nooks takes a different approach by focusing only on Sri Lanka. This single-country model allows the platform to build around the specific needs of Sri Lankan tourism providers and travellers interested in visiting the island.
The focus is not only on listing businesses but also on helping operators manage enquiries and move towards confirmed bookings.
Supporting Sri Lanka’s Independent Tourism Operators
Small tourism businesses play an important role in Sri Lanka’s travel economy. Many visitors look for authentic experiences that connect them with local communities, traditions and places.
However, running a tourism business today often requires more than providing a good service. Operators also need online visibility, customer communication systems and simple ways to handle booking requests.
Ceylon Nooks is designed to support these challenges by giving independent operators a place to present their services to international travellers.
The platform’s approach focuses on helping operators convert traveller interest into actual bookings without requiring every business owner to build and manage their own marketing channels.
For many small businesses, having access to a focused marketplace can reduce the difficulty of reaching potential customers.
Akila Liyanage’s Connection Between Sri Lanka and Australia
Ceylon Nooks was founded by Akila Liyanage, who was born in Sri Lanka and works between Sri Lanka and Australia.
This connection provides a perspective shaped by both local understanding and international travel expectations. The platform is built around the idea that Sri Lanka has many tourism businesses with valuable experiences to offer, but they need better ways to connect with travellers around the world.
The company structure reflects this international connection, with Ceylon Nooks Pty Ltd registered in Australia while maintaining a focus on Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.
What Travellers Can Find on Ceylon Nooks
Travellers using Ceylon Nooks will be able to explore different parts of Sri Lanka through local providers.
Instead of searching separately for activities, accommodation and transport, visitors can find different travel services within one marketplace.
A traveller planning a Sri Lankan holiday may discover a local cooking class, book a stay at a guesthouse, arrange transport with a local driver and explore experiences offered by people who understand the destination.
This approach supports travellers who want more organised planning while still experiencing local services.
The platform’s country-specific focus also allows it to highlight Sri Lanka’s different regions, communities and travel styles.
Ceylon Nooks Launch Date and Future Direction
Ceylon Nooks is scheduled to launch on 28 October 2026 as a dedicated marketplace for Sri Lanka travel.
The launch represents a move towards more specialised travel platforms that focus on specific destinations and local communities. Instead of trying to cover every country, Ceylon Nooks focuses on building a deeper connection with one destination.
As travel continues to change, many visitors are looking for more personal and locally connected experiences. Platforms that support smaller operators may help create new ways for travellers and tourism businesses to connect.
Ceylon Nooks enters this space with a clear focus: creating a digital marketplace designed specifically around Sri Lanka’s tourism ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ceylon Nooks
What is Ceylon Nooks?
Ceylon Nooks is a travel marketplace built exclusively for Sri Lanka. It connects travellers with local tourism providers, including accommodation owners, guides, drivers, cooking class providers and surf schools.
Who founded Ceylon Nooks?
Ceylon Nooks was founded by Akila Liyanage, a Sri Lankan born Australian entrepreneur who works between Sri Lanka and Australia.
When will Ceylon Nooks launch?
Ceylon Nooks is scheduled to launch on 28 October 2026.
What services will be available on Ceylon Nooks?
The marketplace will include three main categories: Experiences, Stays and Transport. Travellers will be able to discover local activities, accommodation options and transport services across Sri Lanka.
How is Ceylon Nooks different from global travel websites?
Ceylon Nooks focuses only on Sri Lanka instead of covering many countries worldwide. Its approach is designed around the needs of Sri Lankan tourism operators and travellers looking for country-specific experiences.
Ceylon Nooks Pty Ltd is registered in Australia and was founded by Akila Liyanage.
For more information:
Akila Liyanage
https://akilaliyanage.com
Ceylon Nooks
https://ceylonnooks.com