The Matara Festival for the Arts (MFA) will be held from 12 to 15 December, as announced by Minister Sunil Handunneththi. The event marks the return of the popular cultural initiative launched in 2024 to revive Matara’s artistic, tourism, and economic landscape.

Last year’s festival brought together over 100 artists and creatives from Sri Lanka and abroad, drawing more than 4,000 visitors and employing over 50 local Matarians. MFA 2025 will build on this success, emphasising community-led collaboration and cultural exchange.

This year’s programme will include art mentorships, peer-to-peer artist groupings, workshops, talks, and evening music events ranging from jazz to dance. The curatorial team remains led by Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe, with directors Chanchala and Jayanthi Samaraweera Gunewardena.

The announcement follows a Cabinet decision to draft the Matara Heritage and Development Act, supporting broader plans to revitalize Matara Fort. The MFA is set to be a key cultural catalyst in that transformation.