Jetwing’s Hiran Cooray honoured with PATA life membership

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Life Membership was awarded to Hiran Cooray, Chairman of Jetwing Symphony PLC. The award is the association’s highest individual honour and recognises significant leadership and invaluable dedication to PATA. Renowned as an expert in Sri Lankan tourism, Hiran, now the youngest Life Member of PATA, has contributed immensely to the development of hospitality in Sri Lanka and is one of the most respected and pivotal figures that drive tourism in the island today. Along with his sister Shiromal, Hiran is carrying on the legacy of the late Herbert Cooray, a pioneer of hospitality and tourism in the island.

“I am incredibly humbled to receive this award from PATA, an association I have had a great relationship with over the years and I would like to thank the board and the honours committee for recognising my services. I have benefited immensely from being associated with PATA since 1991; the association gave me opportunities to mingle with the great travel, hospitality, airline and government giants, to promote my country and company, and also educated me in the latest trends over the years. I am grateful to late Mr. M. Y. M. Thahir, former Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism, for encouraging me to actively engage with PATA and its activities in the last 3 decades” said Hiran Cooray.