Life style

Crafting Colombo’s future through Cinnamom Life

Published

8 months ago

2025/06/29

Elegant and professional setting

In the ever competitive world of hospitality, strong leadership in sales and marketing can make all the difference. Padmi Fernando, the dynamic Director of Sales and Marketing brings a blend of strategic insight, creativity and people centered thinking her role. In this interview, she shares her approach to building brand presence, driving revenue and navigating the evolving landscapes of tourism and hospitality in Sri Lanka.

Cinnamon Life, Colombo’s iconic integrated resort development, is shaping the tourism and hospitality landscape in Sri Lanka. With a strong emphasis on design and functionality, it promises a unique blend of leisure and lifestyle under one roof.

Q: Cinnamon Life is described as Colombo’s “City of Dreams.” How do you position the hotel to attract both local and international tourists?

A: Cinnamon Life is more than a hotel, it’s an integrated lifestyle destination. We’ve positioned it as a vibrant urban resort that offers a diverse blend of experiences – from culinary to entertainment, wellness to retail. For international travel , it represents a luxurious and convenient gateway to Sri Lanka’s energy and elegance. For locals, it’s the city’s newest hotspot – whether for a staycation, a night out, or a special celebration.

Q: As Director of Sales and Marketing, what is your role in driving tourism and attracting visitors to the property?

A: My role is to lead strategy across key segments leisure, business, MICE, (Meetings,Incentive, Conferences and Exhibitions) and entertainment. This includes building strong partnerships, identifying new markets, leveraging global and local media platforms, and ensuring that our offerings remain relevant and desirable. I also work closely with the global partners and our owning group to align our vision with Sri Lanka’s larger tourism ambitions.

: Iconic intergrated resort

: Serene elegance

Q: Which key markets are you targeting for Cinnamon Life – business travellers, leisure travellers, or MICE?

A: We’re uniquely positioned to attract all three. The business traveller is drawn to our central location and contemporary amenities. Leisure guests love our curated experiences, dining concepts, and luxury comfort. And MICE is a major focus with our scale and facilities, we are designed to host high impact international events, conferences, and destination weddings.

Q: What have been the most successful marketing strategies or campaigns executed by Cinnamon Life since its launch?

A: One of our most successful initiatives was the “Meeting in the Sky” kite exhibit with over 2500 kites displayed in The Forum ballroom– it captured the culturally symbolic moment of all Sri Lankans as we all grew up with kites in some form or the other. It was a spectacle that drew much admiration from our customers. We’ve also run high-impact collaborations with influencers, hosted flagship events with leading local creative communities, and launched outlet-specific activations that became instant hits, such as themed brunches, concept nights, and immersive art experiences.

Padmi -Winner of Woman Leader Award in 2019

Q:How do you promote Cinnamon Life’s wide range of facilities to different audience segments?

A: We take a personalized approach. Our communications are curated per segment – for example, lifestyle-driven campaigns for leisure travelers, solution-based messaging for corporates, and immersive storytelling for event planners. We also work with trade partners, media, and digital platforms to ensure that each offering, whether it’s a spa treatment, afternoon with the best view and sunset, or a business suite reaches the right audience.

Q: Are you positioning Cinnamon Life as a premier destination for international events?

A: Absolutely. Our scale, modern infrastructure, and integrated design make us ideal for international events. We are actively working with global event organizers, event planners and associations to host everything from international conventions and summits to luxury weddings and fashion showcases.

Q: In what ways is Cinnamon Life contributing to the growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector?

We are redefining Colombo’s appeal as a travel destination. Cinnamon Life attracts a new kind of traveler – one who wants the energy of a city but the comfort of a resort. With offerings like City of Dreams, luxury dining, and branded residences, we are raising the bar and creating aspirational travel demand. We are also contributing significantly to employment, training, and the local economy.

Entrepreneurial and marketing professional with years of experience

Q: Is sustainability a key part of Cinnamon Life’s sales and marketing narrative?

A: Yes, sustainability is a core value across our group. From responsible sourcing and energy-efficient design to local community engagement and waste reduction, we actively integrate sustainable practices. These stories are increasingly important to our guests – especially international travellers who value ethical travel and we proudly include them in our communications.

How do you maintain the hotel’s brand image while staying relevant in a rapidly evolving market?

It’s a balance of consistency and innovation. Our brand is rooted in being contemporary, inclusive, and experience-led and we ensure every activation reflects that. At the same time, we continuously evolve through trend-based promotions, pop-up events, seasonal campaigns, and collaborations with culture shapers to keep things fresh.

Q: How do you balance your efforts between attracting international guests and appealing to the local market?

A: We treat both markets with equal importance but apply different strategies. Locals are engaged through lifestyle-driven promotions, events, and loyalty programs. For the international market, we focus on partnerships, digital reach, and brand storytelling. The beauty of Cinnamon Life is that it offers value to both, whether you’re flying in for a week or spending an evening with friends.

Q: During off-peak seasons, how do you adapt your sales strategy to maintain performance?

A: We proactively plan with a strong promotions calendar. This includes domestic campaigns, long-stay offers, regional market activations, and themed experiences designed to boost demand. Our event spaces and F&B outlets also give us great agility – allowing us to introduce new experiences during traditionally quieter periods.

Q: What is your vision for Cinnamon Life in terms of growth and brand development over the next few years?

A: We want Cinnamon Life to be recognized as South Asia’s most iconic urban lifestyle destination. Beyond being a hotel, we aim to lead in experiential tourism, global events, and luxury living. Growth will come through innovation, partnerships, and staying deeply attuned to evolving guest expectations.

Q: As Director of Sales and Marketing, what has been your proudest career moment so far? Could you also reflect on a highlight related to Cinnamon Life?

A: I’ve had the privilege of launching several landmark properties, but Cinnamon Life has been a career-defining journey. Being part of this scale of innovation in Sri Lanka is both humbling and exciting. A standout moment was welcoming our first guests and seeing their reactions, that’s when the years of planning came to life.

All News Advertisement

Life style

Salman Faiz leads with vision and legacy

Published

3 days ago

2026/02/15

Thilina Walpola

At the helm - blending heritage with vision

Salman Faiz has turned his family legacy into a modern sensory empire. Educated in London, he returned to Sri Lanka with a global perspective and a refined vision, transforming the family legacy into a modern sensory powerhouse blending flavours,colours and fragrances to craft immersive sensory experiences from elegant fine fragrances to natural essential oils and offering brand offerings in Sri Lanka. Growing up in a world perfumed with possibility, Aromatic Laboratories (Pvt) Limited founded by his father he has immersed himself from an early age in the delicate alchemy of fragrances, flavours and essential oils.

Salman Faiz did not step into Aromatic Laboratories Pvt Limited, he stepped into a world already alive with fragrance, precision and quiet ambition. Long before he became the Chairman of this large enterprise, founded by his father M. A. Faiz and uncle M.R. Mansoor his inheritance was being shaped in laboratories perfumed with possibility and in conversations that stretched from Colombo to outside the shores of Sri Lanka, where his father forged early international ties, with the world of fine fragrance.

Growing up amidst raw materials sourced from the world’s most respected fragrance houses, Salman Faiz absorbed the discipline of formulation and the poetry of aroma almost by instinct. When Salman stepped into the role of Chairman, he expanded the company’s scope from a trusted supplier into a fully integrated sensory solution provider. The scope of operations included manufacturing of flavours, fragrances, food colours and ingredients, essential oils and bespoke formulations including cosmetic ingredients. They are also leading supplier of premium fragrances for the cosmetic,personal care and wellness sectors Soon the business boomed, and the company strengthened its international sourcing, introduced contemporary product lines and extended its footprint beyond Sri Lanka’s borders.

Where raw materials transform into refined fragrance

Salman Faiz -carrying forward a legacy

Today, Aromatic Laboratories stands as a rare example of a second generation. Sri Lankan enterprise that has retained its soul while embracing scale and sophistication. Under Salman Faiz’s leadership, the company continues to honour his father’s founding philosophy that every scent and flavour carries a memory, or story,and a human touch. He imbibed his father’s policy that success was measured not by profit alone but the care taken in creation, the relationships matured with suppliers and the trust earned by clients.

“We are one of the leading companies manufacturing fragrances, dealing with imports,exports in Sri Lanka. We customise fragrances to suit specific applications. We also source our raw materials from leading French company Roberte’t in Grasse

Following his father, for Salman even in moments of challenge, he insisted on grace over haste, quality over conveniences and long term vision over immediate reward under Salman Faiz’s stewardship the business has evolved from a trusted family enterprise into a modern sensory powerhouse.

Now the company exports globally to France, Germany, the UK, the UAE, the Maldives and collaborates with several international perfumes and introduces contemporary products that reflect both sophistication and tradition.

We are one of the leading companies. We are one of the leading companies manufacturing fine and industrial fragrance in Sri Lanka. We customise fragrances to suit specific applications said Faiz

‘We also source our raw materials from renowned companies, in Germany, France, Dubai,Germany and many others.Our connection with Robertet, a leading French parfume House in Grasse, France runs deep, my father has been working closely with the iconic French company for years, laying the foundation for the partnership, We continue even today says Faiz”

Today this business stands as a rare example of second generation Sri Lankan entrepreneurship that retains its souls while embracing scale and modernity. Every aroma, every colour and every flavour is imbued with the care, discipline, and vision passed down from father to son – a living legacy perfected under Salmon Faiz’s guidance.

By Zanita Careem

Life style

Home coming with a vision

Published

3 days ago

2026/02/15

Thilina Walpola

Uruwela Estate team

Harini and Chanaka cultivating change

When Harini and Chanaka Mallikarachchi returned to Sri Lanka after more than ten years in the United States, it wasn’t nostalgia alone that they brought home . It was purpose.Beneath the polished resumes and strong computer science backgrounds lay something far more personal- longing to reconnect with the land, and to give back to the country that shaped their memories. From that quiet but powerful decision was born Agri Vision not just an agricultural venture but a community driven movement grounded in sustainability ,empowerment and heritage. They transform agriculture through a software product developed by Avya Technologies (Pvt Limited) Combining global expertise with a deep love for their homeland, they created a pioneering platform that empowers local farmers and introduce innovative, sustainable solutions to the country’s agri sector.

After living for many years building lives and careers in theUnited States, Harini and Chanaka felt a powerful pull back to their roots. With impressive careers in the computer and IT sector, gaining global experience and expertise yet, despite their success abroad, their hearts remained tied to Sri Lanka – connection that inspired their return where they now channel their technological know-how to advance local agriculture.

For Harini and Chanaka, the visionaries behind Agri Vision are redefining sustainable agriculture in Sri Lanka. With a passion for innovation and community impact, they have built Agri Vision into a hub for advanced agri solutions, blending global expertise with local insight.

In Sri Lanka’s evolving agricultural landscape, where sustainability and authenticity are no longer optional but essential. Harini and Chanaka are shaping a vision that is both rooted and forward looking. In the heart of Lanka’s countryside, Uruwela estate Harini and Chanaka alongside the ever inspiring sister Malathi, the trio drives Agri Vision an initiative that fuses cutting edge technology with age old agricultural wisdom. At the core of their agri philosophy lies two carefully nurtured brands artisan tea and pure cinnamon, each reflecting a commitment to quality, heritage and people.

Armed with global exposure and professional backgrounds in the technology sector,they chose to channel thier experiences into agriculture, believing that true progress begins at home.

: Avya Technologies (Pvt) ltd software company that developed Agri Vision

: Chanaka,Harini and Shakya Mallikarachchi and Malathi Malathi dias (middle)

But the story of Agri Vision is as much about relationships as it is about technology. Harini with her sharp analytical mind, ensures the operations runs seamlessly Chanaka, the strategist looks outward, connecting Agri Vision to globally best practices and Malathi is their wind behind the wings, ensures every project maintains a personal community focussed ethos. They cultivate hope, opportunity and a blueprint for a future where agriculture serves both the land and the people who depend on it .

For the trio, agriculture is not merely about cultivation, it is about connection. It is about understanding the rhythm of the land, respecting generations of farming knowledge, and that growth is shared by the communities that sustain it. This belief forms the backbone of Agro’s vision, one that places communities not only on the periphery, but at the very heart of every endeavour.

Artisan tea is a celebration of craft and origin sourced from selected growing regions and produced with meticulous attention to detail, the tea embodier purity, traceability and refinement, each leaf is carefully handled to preserve character and flavour, reflecting Sri Lanka’s enduring legacy as a world class tea origin while appealing to a new generation of conscious consumers complementing this is pure Cinnamon, a tribute to authentic Ceylon, Cinnamon. In a market saturated with substitutes, Agri vision’s commitment to genuine sourcing and ethical processing stands firm.

By working closely with cinnamon growers and adhering to traditional harvesting methods, the brands safeguards both quality and cultural heritage.

What truly distinguishes Harini and Chanake’s Agri Vision is their community approach. By building long term partnerships with smallholders. Farmers, the company ensures fair practises, skill development and sustainable livelihoods, These relationships foster trust and resilience, creating an ecosystem where farmers are valued stakeholders in the journey, not just suppliers.

Agri vision integrates sustainable practices and global quality standards without compromising authenticity. This harmony allows Artisan Tea and Pure Cinnamon to resonate beyond borders, carrying with them stories of land, people and purpose.

As the brands continue to grow Harini and Chanaka remain anchored in their founding belief that success of agriculture is by the strength of the communities nurtured along the way. In every leaf of tea and every quill of cinnamon lies a simple yet powerful vision – Agriculture with communities at heart.

By Zanita Careem

Life style

Marriot new GM Suranga

Published

3 days ago

2026/02/15

Thilina Walpola

Suranga new G. M. at Mariott

Courtyard by Marriott Colombo has welcomed Suranga Peelikumbura as its new General Manager, ushering in a chapter defined by vision, warmth, and global sophistication.

Suranga’s story is one of both breadth and depth. Over two decades, he has carried the Marriott spirit across continents, from the shimmering luxury of The Ritz-Carlton in Doha to the refined hospitality of Ireland, and most recently to the helm of Resplendent Ceylon as Vice President of Operations. His journey reflects not only international mastery but also a devotion to Sri Lanka’s own hospitality narrative.

What distinguishes Suranga is not simply his credentials but the philosophy that guides him. “Relationships come first, whether with our associates, guests, partners, or vendors. Business may follow, but it is the strength of these connections that defines us.” It is this belief, rooted in both global perspective and local heart, that now shapes his leadership at Courtyard Colombo.

At a recent gathering of corporate leaders, travel partners, and media friends, Suranga paid tribute to outgoing General Manager Elton Hurtis, hon oring his vision and the opportunities he created for associates to flourish across the Marriott world. With deep respect for that legacy, Suranga now steps forward to elevate guest experiences, strengthen community ties, and continue the tradition of excellence that defines Courtyard Colombo.

From his beginnings at The Lanka Oberoi and Cinnamon Grand Colombo to his leadership roles at Weligama Bay Marriott and Resplendent Ceylon, Suranga’s career is a testament to both resilience and refinement. His return to Marriott is not merely a professional milestone, it is a homecoming.