Sri Lanka Gears Up for Landmark Bob Marley Tribute Festival

“ONE LOVE 2026 – A Tribute to Bob Marley” will take place in Bentota from 27 to 29 March 2026 

BY Tiranya Yalindee Ranasinghe

A press conference was recently held at NUWA Sri Lanka to announce that “ONE LOVE 2026 – A Tribute to Bob Marley” will take place in Bentota from 27 to 29 March 2026. The event is hailed as South Asia’s first-ever reggae music festival to be held in Sri Lanka.

The festival will feature an impressive lineup of internationally acclaimed artistes, including Maxi Priest, The Wailers, Julian Marley and Ky-Mani Marley, sons of Bob Marley along with Inner Circle and Big Mountain. The three-day celebration promises an electrifying tribute to reggae music, bringing together some of the genre’s biggest global stars.

Sri Lanka’s appreciation for reggae music spans several decades, resonating with both older and younger generations alike. Beyond its musical appeal, reggae has often served as a symbol of social unity and political expression using music as a powerful tool to bring communities together. The festival also coincides with what would have been Bob Marley’s 81st birthday on 6 February, further elevating its significance as a tribute to one of reggae’s greatest pioneers.

Special guests expected to attend include Kingsley Ben-Adir, the lead actor of the 2024 musical drama One Love, as well as the film’s director, Reinaldo Marcus Green.

Adding to the excitement, Maxi Priest made a surprise appearance via video call during the press conference, expressing his enthusiasm by stating, “We are so looking forward to the One Love 2026 festival. We are going to have a fabulous time.”

The press conference also featured a panel discussion with key industry figures, including Kamal Munasinghe, Chief Operating Officer of Cinnamon Life, Thakshila Ranathunge, Executive at Cinnamon Life and Rohantha Reggae, an iconic Sri Lankan musician in the local reggae scene. Speaking on the significance of the event, Kamal Munasinghe remarked, “We had setbacks because of the cyclone, but we are excited for what lies ahead.” Thakshila Ranathunge echoed this optimism, confidently stating, “We are ready to host international-scale events. The future is ours.”

Michael Hibashi, Vice President and Property General Manager of City of Dreams Sri Lanka, added, “Welcoming world-renowned reggae legends reflects our mission to champion creativity, support the arts, and bring globally iconic experiences to Sri Lanka.”

In addition to celebrating music and culture, a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated towards a water purification project for children’s orphanages, carried out by the Indian Cultural Association in Sri Lanka.