10th April 2025: AIA AquaFest 2025, Sri Lanka’s largest and most exhilarating water sports festival spearheaded by AIA Insurance in collaboration with Lankify, was held recently at Galle Face, Colombo. The adrenaline-packed championship featured a diverse range of water sports activities, including sailing, jet skiing, dragon boats and ocean kayaking, against the backdrop of Colombo’s stunning coastline, attracting hundreds of local and international water sports enthusiasts. The overarching goal of the event was to contribute to the growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and broader economic development, thereby positioning the country as a leading destination for adventure tourism over the long term.
“A prosperous nation is built on the foundation of healthy individuals and resilient communities. AIA AquaFest 2025 showcased our ongoing commitment to empowering people to rethink what it means to be ‘healthy’. Recognizing the vital role that embracing active lifestyles plays in uplifting the overall health and wellbeing, we are proud to be a part of this monumental initiative.” said Sasith Bambaradeniya, Chief Marketing Officer of AIA Insurance.
AIA AquaFest 2025 also aligned with AIA Group’s brand efforts in ‘Rethinking Healthy,’ an initiative that seeks to challenge stereotypes and narrow depictions of health in Asia while calling for new definitions of health that will encourage more people to live healthier. The campaign is part of the company’s ‘AIA One Billion’ mission to engage one billion people to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives by 2030.
The ‘Rethink Healthy’ framework proposes a holistic approach to well-being that makes it relatable, realistic and achievable for everyone. With four interconnected pillars—physical, mental, financial, and environmental health—the campaign aims to challenge stereotypes and make ‘healthy ‘more achievable. With ‘Rethink Healthy,’ physical health is redefined through enjoyable movement, rest and a balanced relationship with food. The mental health pillar encourages proactive management and destigmatization for mental wellness, while the financial health pillar emphasizes the importance of building a secure and personalized approach to finances. The environmental health pillar focuses on the crucial connection between personal well-being and planetary sustainability, advocating for the adoption of environmentally conscious habits. This comprehensive campaign acknowledges the multifaceted nature of health and encourages a proactive, integrated approach to achieving overall wellness.
AIA AquaFest 2025 truly embodied this mission to empowering individuals to redefine their health and well-being on their own terms. With dynamic and fun water sports in an adventure that redefined physical limits and enabled mental wellbeing creating lasting memories with family and friends, deeper bonds and community spirit, the festival was one enjoyed by not only the contestant but also their cheering squads.
AIA further chartered a course of financial stability with the bancassurance partners in an unprecedented celebration of partnership that provides protection across Sri Lanka. Last but certainly not least, the team made a positive change for environmental sustainability and vulnerable marine species with a proactive beach clean-up and the opening of a turtle cove nesting ground to support the conservation and protection of this endangered species. Additionally, throughout the months leading up to the event, the Company and the organizers worked closely with environmental partners, and tourism authorities to ensure that AquaFest 2025 adheres to sustainable practices.
This exciting celebration of water sports served as a platform to inspire individuals to embrace physical activity, while promoting mental, financial and environmental wellbeing, while representing a key step in advancing Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery efforts, driving increased international interest and positioning the nation as a vibrant, dynamic destination.
