Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, has appointed Mr. Hishan Singhawansa as its new Chief Executive Officer, unveiling the vision to strengthen the brand’s role as one of the largest contributors to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector and position the country’s standing as a global destination. With 17 years at John Keells Group (JKH), Singhawansa takes on the role at a pivotal moment, as Sri Lanka’s tourism rebounds beyond pre-pandemic levels.

“Sri Lanka has the assets to be one of the most desired destinations in the world. What we need now is scale, innovation, and consistency. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is at the forefront of showcasing this potential, offering luxury, lifestyle, and authentic experiences that appeal to travellers globally. We harness technology and innovation to deliver seamless, personalised guest experiences, while ensuring sustainability and inclusivity remain at the heart of our growth,” said Singhawansa. “Our resorts in the Maldives further embody this vision, championing international standards, sustainability, and experiential travel.”

The chain’s recently launched Cinnamon Life is a landmark US$1.2 billion integrated resort in Colombo, and the largest development of its kind in South Asia. With 687 rooms, over 160,000 sq. ft. of MICE facilities for up to 5,000 guests, and a mix of residences, retail, dining, and entertainment, Cinnamon Life is expected to create 20,000 jobs and firmly establish Colombo as a regional MICE powerhouse among Singapore, Bangkok, and Dubai

Beyond infrastructure, Cinnamon is investing in fostering talent through the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy, aiming to increase women’s participation in hospitality to at least 24% by 2025, and initiatives such as EmpowHer, which createsafer, more inclusive workplaces. Meanwhile, Cinnamon Nature Trails, the brand’s wildlife and experiential tourism arm, continues to act as the country’s destination experts, offering authentic, conservation-led journeys that align with global travel trends.

“Tourism is about economic transformation and community empowerment,” added Singhawansa. “Our priority is to become a catalyst for change, delivering world-class experiences, and ensuring tourism uplifts the communities we serve.”

As the only Sri Lankan brand to be part of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts connects with over 30 million members worldwide through its loyalty programme, Cinnamon Discovery. Combined with a portfolio of 17 hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is uniquely positioned to play a central role in shaping Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery and future growth bringing together authenticity, innovation, and scale to strengthen both Sri Lanka’s and the Maldives’ profile as leading global destinations.

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Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has been recognised as a winner at the inaugural DEI Champions Awards 2025 awarded for “Leadership in Gender Equality” category, in celebration of its exceptional commitment to fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) across its operations.

Organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce under the SCOPE Programme, co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office, and implemented by GIZ Sri Lanka in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, this landmark initiative acknowledges businesses leading the way in embedding inclusive values into their organisational culture.

The award recognises Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ holistic approach to DE&I, with progressive efforts that go far beyond recruitment and hiring. In retention, the organisation addresses every aspect from safety and facilities to learning, engagement, and morewhile advancing female leadership, empowering underrepresented communities, supporting persons with disabilities, and fostering youth development. Signature programmes such as EmpowHer, the PWD Inclusion Plan, and community engagement projects like Hikka Batiks, Palmyra Creations, the Diriyata Athwalak Project, and The Kadjan Roof Weaving Project in the Maldives have further strengthened the organisation’s impact.

“We are honoured to be recognised as a DEI Champion. At Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, inclusion is embedded in the way we operate. We believe diversity fuels creativity, equity drives opportunity, and inclusion inspires belonging. This award reflects the collective commitment of our teams to building a more inclusive future for the hospitality industry and the communities we serve,” said Hishan Singhawansa, CEO, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.

The DEI Champions Awards 2025 brought together both SMEs and corporates, with the evening graced by Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, National Integration Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer and The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chairman Krishan Balendra, the event brought together over 250 participants, including industry leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers and development partners.

This achievement reaffirms Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ position as a pioneer in shaping inclusive hospitality in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, offering a blueprint for other organisations to follow.

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