Avenra Gardens Hotel Negombo recently celebrated its 18th anniversary with a series of activities reflecting gratitude, community spirit, and appreciation for its team.

The celebrations commenced with a special multi-faith religious observance attended by a Buddhist monk, Catholic priest, Moulavi, and Kurukkal from the area, representing the four major faiths. The ceremony symbolised unity and gratitude for the journey so far, reflecting the spirit of togetherness that has guided the organisation over the years while offering blessings for its continued growth and success. The religious observances were followed by a ceremonial breakfast for staff members, where the Chairman addressed the gathering and distributed tokens of appreciation in recognition of their contribution.

As part of the anniversary programme, the hotel hosted 40 underprivileged children from the Yawajeewa Community Learning Center for a special day out. The children were treated to a meal and spent the day engaging in a range of fun activities organised by the hotel team. The visit also included the distribution of gifts, creating a memorable experience for the children while reflecting the hotel’s commitment to giving back to the community and sharing the joy of the milestone with those in need.

The celebrations came to a close with a gala dinner in the hotel’s main ballroom, honouring long-serving employees for their dedication and contributions to the organisation’s growth over the years. Having begun its journey in Negombo,Avenra Hotels has steadily expanded its footprint over the years, with properties now located in Hikkaduwa and Wennappuwa, strengthening its presence within Sri Lanka’s hospitality and events sector. Today, the group provides employment opportunities to over 500+ individuals directly and indirectly, while continuing to serve both local and international guests.

“Avenra Gardens’ journey over the past 18 years has been built on the dedication of our team and the support of the communities we operate in. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to growing responsibly while continuing to create memorable experiences for our guests,” said Danesh de Silva, Chairman, Avenra Hotels.

Looking ahead, Avenra Hotels aims to further strengthen its presence in Sri Lanka’s hospitality and events sector by enhancing guest experiences, expanding its service offerings, and continuing to invest in its people and communities. Building on the strong foundation established over the past 18 years, the group plans to focus on sustainable growth, innovative event experiences, and elevating the standards of hospitality across its properties in Negombo, Wennappuwa, and Hikkaduwa.

Over nearly two decades, Avenra Gardens Hotel Negombo has become an integral part of the city’s social fabric. Having hosted thousands of weddings, celebrations, and corporate events, the property has grown to be more than a hospitality venue. It is a place where some of life’s most important moments are shared and remembered. Today, Avenra Gardens stands as a fixture not only in the hospitality industry but also in the life of the Negombo community, continuing to play a role in shaping the city’s celebrations and milestones.

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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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ITC Ratnadipa Colombo has appointed international hospitality professional Rahul Pavithran as Head of Sales & Marketing in a strategic move to strengthen the hotel’s market position. A seasoned professional, Rahul possesses over 17 years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing, demonstrating a proven ability to drive revenue growth, enhance brand presence, and expand market reach. In his new role, he will further strengthen the hotel’s efforts to capitalise on emerging opportunities within Sri Lanka’s competitive luxury hospitality sector.

Prior to joining ITC Ratnadipa, Rahul served as Director of Sales at JW Marriott New Delhi, Aerocity, where he managed all sales operations, including corporate accounts, MICE, weddings, and events etc. Under his leadership, the business achieved record-high revenue, demonstrating his strong capability to drive growth across diverse segments. His career also includes senior leadership roles at renowned luxury hotels, including Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, Fairmont Jaipur, The Leela Palace Bengaluru, and Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty.

Commenting on the appointment, Sujeet Kumar, General Manager of ITC Ratnadipa Colombo, stated, “We are pleased to welcome Rahul to our team. His extensive experience and proven track record in hospitality sales and marketing will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen ITC Ratnadipa’s position in the market. We look forward to the fresh perspectives and leadership he brings to the establishment.”

Rahul’s exceptional contributions have been recognised with several accolades, including the prestigious Wall of Fame Award at The Taj.He earned a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, established by the ITC Hotels Limited, and continues to leverage his extensive industry knowledge to set new benchmarks in hospitality sales excellence.

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