‘One Love 2026’: Reggae finds a home on Bentota’s shores
View(s):By Sanath Weerasuriya
There is something about the sea, music and an easy rhythm that feels instinctively familiar to Sri Lankans. Perhaps that is why Jamaican reggae, with its messages of love, resilience and unity, has quietly found a loyal following here over the years. Much like Kingston’s coastal hangouts such as Long Bay or Reggae Beach, Sri Lanka’s own shoreline, from Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna to Arugam Bay, Mirissa and now Hiriketiya, has evolved into a natural home for reggae culture.
Maxi Priest
Against this backdrop of sun, surf and soulful rhythms, the ‘One Love Concert’ arrives as both a celebration and a reaffirmation of reggae’s deep-rooted connection with the island.
Come March next year, that bond will be celebrated on a grand scale as Sri Lanka hosts South Asia’s first-ever three-day reggae music festival, ‘One Love 2026 – A Tribute to Bob Marley’, on the sun-drenched beaches of Bentota.
The landmark event was officially unveiled at a press conference held at NUWA Hotel at the City of Dreams in Colombo on Tuesday, December 16, setting the tone for what promises to be one of the most significant music gatherings the island has witnessed in recent times. Scheduled to take place on March 27, 28 and 29, 2026, the three-day festival will commence from 6.00 p.m. each evening, with reggae rhythms flowing late into the night against a backdrop of sand, surf and starlit skies.
What makes ‘One Love 2026 – A Tribute to Bob Marley’ truly historic is its line-up. Featuring six internationally acclaimed reggae acts and four DJs, the largest such gathering ever staged in this part of the world, the festival promises an unprecedented celebration of reggae music. Leading the roster will be the original line-up of Bob Marley’s ‘Wailers’, joined by Maxi Priest, fondly known as the ‘Prince of Reggae’.
Sharing the stage with reggae legends, global giants ‘Inner Circle’ and ‘Big Mountain’ will headline ‘One Love 2026- A Tribute to Bob Marley’ in Bentota. Adding a powerful emotional dimension to the festival are Julian Marley and Ky-Mani Marley, sons of the iconic Bob Marley, whose music and legacy continue to resonate across generations worldwide.
Reggae singer Rohantha Dissanayake, ‘One In A Million Chairman’ Prasantha Hewawasam, Chamika Karunaratne, Kamal Munasinghe and Thakshila Galappaththi along with Presenter Nisthar Cassim
Each night of this three day festival has been carefully curated, with two major acts sharing the spotlight. The opening night on March 27 will see ‘The Wailers’ and Maxi Priest ignite the festival. March 28 belongs to ‘Inner Circle’ and ‘Big Mountain’, while the final night brings the Marleys, Julian and Ky-Mani, to close the celebration on a high. International DJs will take over the decks between live performances each evening, keeping the reggae rhythms alive throughout the festival.
Adding a cinematic touch to the proceedings are Kingsley Ben-Adir, who portrayed Bob Marley in the 2024 musical drama ‘One Love’ and the film’s director Reinaldo Marcus Green, both of whom are expected to attend the festival.
Reggae’s appeal in Sri Lanka is not new. From beach parties to radio playlists, its laid-back grooves and socially conscious lyrics have long struck a chord. Organisers expect the festival to draw not only thousands of local fans, but also visitors from India, the Maldives and Bangladesh, along with Western travellers keen to trade winter coats for tropical warmth.
The festival is organised by ‘One In A Million Entertainment Ltd’., a Sri Lankan-owned company headquartered in Europe and Colombo, in collaboration with Caribbean Entertainment. The organisers are no strangers to bringing international reggae names to the island, having previously hosted artistes such as Shaggy, Diana King, Maxi Priest and Big Mountain.
Beyond music, ‘One Love 2026’ carries a strong cultural and humanitarian message. Timed around what would have been Bob Marley’s 81st birthday on February 6, the festival aligns itself with his enduring philosophy of unity and social responsibility. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales will go towards children’s orphanages and water purification projects supported by the Indian Cultural Association in Sri Lanka, while the festival is also working with the ‘Bob and Rita Marley Foundation’ to support charitable initiatives in Jamaica.
Tickets are priced to cater to a broad audience. Normal daily tickets are set at Rs. 10,000/-, while VIP tickets cost Rs. 50,000/- per day. For those planning to soak in all three nights, early bird festival passes are available at Rs. 25,000/- for normal tickets and Rs. 125,000/- for VIP access. Tickets will be available via the PickMe Events platform.
An international delegation of nearly 70 artistes and crew members will arrive for the festival, with NUWA Sri Lanka hosting the visiting stars. The ultra-luxury property, owned by Melco Resorts and Entertainment, has positioned itself as Colombo’s newest lifestyle and entertainment destination.
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