Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has named Hishan Singhawansa as its new Chief Executive Officer, ushering in a renewed strategic focus that places India at the core of Sri Lanka’s tourism ambitions. A 17-year veteran of parent conglomerate John Keells Group, Singhawansa steps into the leadership role as Sri Lanka sees Indian visitor arrivals surge by more than 30% in the first half of 2025, reaffirming India as its foremost source market.
“In terms of accessibility and appeal, Sri Lanka is one of the most exciting destinations for Indian travellers—just 90 minutes from Chennai and Bengaluru, and within four hours from Delhi and Mumbai,” said Singhawansa. “By aligning scale with innovation and consistency, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts aims to elevate this connectivity, delivering luxury, lifestyle, and authentic experiences that resonate deeply with the Indian leisure, MICE, and wedding segments”.
Central to this vision is Cinnamon Life Colombo, a landmark US$1.2 billion integrated resort, the largest of its kind in South Asia. Featuring 687 guest rooms and 160,000 sq ft of MICE facilities capable of accommodating up to 5,000 visitors, Cinnamon Life is intended to position Colombo alongside top regional hubs like Singapore, Bangkok, and Dubai as a premier venue for Indian weddings, corporate gatherings, and large-scale conferences.
Beyond state-of-the-art infrastructure, Cinnamon is investing in people and purpose. The Cinnamon Hospitality Academy is being ramped up to equip Sri Lanka’s workforce with world-class service standards. Complementing this is EmpowHer, an initiative targeting a 30% increase in women’s participation in hospitality over the next three years, fostering safer and more inclusive workplaces. Moreover, Cinnamon Nature Trails, the brand’s experiential tourism arm, continues to offer conservation-led journeys—from whale watching to wildlife safaris—catering to India’s growing appetite for sustainable travel.
“Tourism isn’t just about destination—it’s about economic transformation and community upliftment,” Singhawansa added. “We are committed to being a catalyst for change, ensuring Indian travellers experience the best of Sri Lanka while empowering local communities”.
Cinnamon also distinguishes itself as the sole Sri Lankan brand in the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), granting access to over 30 million loyalty members worldwide via the Cinnamon Discovery programme. With a portfolio of 17 hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the group is ideally positioned to harness outbound growth from India—powered by authenticity, innovation, and reach—to strengthen both destinations as global hospitality leaders
