Aitken Spence Hotels proudly marked a defining moment in its commitment to shaping the future of hospitality leadership, as trainees from its flagship Heritance Rise Management Trainee Programme emerged as some of the most decorated graduates at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) Graduation Ceremony 2024/25.

Together, the cohort clinched 15 special awards, with standout performer Tharuka Chaturangi being honoured with the Most Outstanding Graduate Award for the Three-Year Management Diploma—one of the two highest recognitions conferred at the national graduation ceremony.

Launched to respond to the critical need for talent development in the hospitality industry, Heritance Rise is Aitken Spence Hotels’ purpose-driven initiative to nurture the next generation of Sri Lankan hoteliers through a structured, immersive, and performance-led learning journey. The programme is uniquely crafted in five phases: an intensive 8-month training in core area of specialization , 4 months of cross exposure across other key hotel departments, including corporate office immersion to understand the business of hospitality, 3 months overseas exposure in India, Maldives or Oman and a final 3-month management and leadership specialisation phase, allowing participants to hone necessary skills aligned with their passion and career goals.

“Heritance Rise is more than a training programme—it’s a long-term investment in shaping compassionate, forward-thinking leaders who will redefine hospitality in Sri Lanka and the region,” said Aitken Spence Hotels Vice President – Learning & Development / Rooms Division Patrick Pereira. “Our trainees’ outstanding performance at SLITHM is a powerful endorsement of our approach and their extraordinary potential.”

Leading the accolades was Tharuka Chaturangi, whose achievements at the ceremony included not only the coveted Most Outstanding Graduate Trophy, but also top honours in Professional Cookery, Professional Cookery Practical, Revenue Management, and Hotel Information Technology—demonstrating both depth and versatility in her craft.

Equally impressive was Charles de Croos, who received multiple distinctions in accommodation operations, including Most Outstanding Student in Housekeeping, Advanced Accommodation Operations, and Management Studies, as well as excellence in Research Methodology.

From culinary arts to front office and F&B operations, Heritance Rise trainees continued to shine. Nethmi Hettihewage was awarded for her stellar performance in Food & Beverage Operations, while K. Gurudhesh received dual recognitions in Pastry Preparation and Professional Cookery, including the esteemed Nestlé Professional Culinary Pinnacle Award. Mandithri Fernando earned the top award in Front Office Operations, and Mr. Dilan Uluvitiya was recognized for excellence in Accommodation Practices.

“These achievements reflect the calibre of individuals we are proud to nurture through Heritance Rise,” Stasshani Jayawardena, Chairperson of Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings PLC said. “The breadth of disciplines in which our trainees were recognised—from cookery to revenue management, IT, and research—demonstrates the holistic preparation they receive and their readiness to take on leadership roles in a dynamic global industry.”

With a clear path to Assistant Manager roles upon graduation and the opportunity to rise to General Manager level within a set period, Heritance Rise serves as both a fast-track and a values-driven platform for emerging hospitality professionals. The programme is deeply embedded in Aitken Spence Hotels’ purpose to uplift Sri Lankan talent and enhance the global competitiveness of its workforce, especially at a time when the industry demands resilience, creativity, and future-ready skillsets.

As the first Sri Lankan hospitality group to implement global service standards such as LQA (Luxury Quality Assurance) across its resorts, and with a growing focus on leadership development, Aitken Spence Hotels continues to pave the way in elevating hospitality excellence through homegrown talent.

“We salute every award recipient and graduate. Their success is our shared success—as a company, an industry, and a country. With passion, discipline, and a commitment to learning, they are not just rising—they are leading,” added Ms. Jayawardena.