What’s it like running a restaurant in Sri Lanka?

What’s it like running a restaurant in Sri Lanka?

What does it really take to run restaurants, day after day, year after year. In a city like Colombo?

In this film, we follow Harpo Goonaratne, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic hoteliers and restaurateurs, through a day in his life. From early mornings to late nights, Harpo shares his journey from entertainment to hospitality, his philosophy of people-first service, and the realities of running multiple properties in an ever-changing environment.

A glimpse into the life, mindset, and values behind some of Colombo’s most loved dining spaces.

0:00 – What hospitality really means in Sri Lanka
0:41 – Introduction: A day in the life of Harpo Goonaratne
1:12 – From DJ to hotelier: how his journey began
3:05 – Running multiple restaurants in Colombo
5:06 – Staying hands-on: daily operations & leadership
6:01 – Building his first standalone restaurant
7:31 – Why presence matters in hospitality
10:08 – Building businesses during war, crisis & uncertainty
13:06 – Hospitality as people, not just food
16:10 – The next generation & passing on responsibility
20:56 – Work, balance & staying mentally sharp
22:50 – Colombo nightlife & the future of dining
25:23 – Advice for young entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka
29:46 – Why hospitality will always be about human connection

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We’re Shenelle & Shehaan, award-winning storytellers and content creators who’ve been showcasing Sri Lanka since 2018. Our mission is to promote responsible tourism and help you experience this island like never before.