Port City offers strong investment potential, says VIA 9 founder

Team ‘Via 9’

Avin Fernando Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

By yohan perera

Colombo Port City has significant potential to attract new investments and support emerging businesses, according to entrepreneur Avin Fernando, founder of Italian restaurant VIA 9, one of the latest ventures to establish operations within the country’s offshore business hub.

Fernando, who launched VIA 9 in December last year with a group of investors, said the project was born out of his passion for authentic Italian cuisine and confidence in the long-term prospects of Port City Colombo.

Born and raised in Italy, Fernando said he spent much of his childhood in his father’s restaurant, where he was exposed to the food industry from an early age.

“My father has managed a restaurant in Italy for nearly 40 years. Growing up, I spent a lot of time there, helping out in the kitchen and learning the trade. That experience inspired my passion for Italian food and motivated me to start something of my own,” he said.

Fernando said VIA 9 aims to offer Sri Lankans a more authentic Italian dining experience, noting that many consumers have not had the opportunity to experience traditional Italian dishes prepared according to their original recipes.

“We import selected ingredients directly from Italy and brought in an Italian team to train our local staff. Our objective is to deliver authentic Italian flavours rather than adapting recipes to resemble fast food,” he said. Looking ahead, Fernando said the restaurant plans to introduce “show cooking”, where meals are prepared in front of customers, offering a more interactive dining experience.

“When people visit a restaurant, they usually don’t see what happens behind the scenes. Show cooking allows guests to watch the preparation process and engage with the experience,” he said.

The company is also exploring plans to expand beyond Colombo, with a second outlet in Negombo under consideration.

Fernando said the business has remained stable since opening and expressed optimism about future opportunities within Port City.

“Port City Colombo has considerable potential for new investments. We believe it can become a platform for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to establish a presence in Sri Lanka’s emerging commercial hub,” he said.