Business

SLITHM chief on a mission to bring back the glories of the Ceylon Hotel School era

Published

1 year ago

2024/09/20

Thilina Walpola

Shirantha Peiris

By Harischandra Gunaratna

The chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM), Shirantha Peiris, in an interview with The Island Financial Review recently said that his dream was to take the school back to its ‘golden days’ when it functioned as Ceylon Hotel School.

‘The Ceylon Hotel School produced world class hoteliers, where some of them held top positions in hotels owned and operated by international chains in different parts of the world, he said.

Peiris assumed duties as the chairman of SLITHM in June 2022 and the institute has seen steady advancement during this short period, according to SLITHM sources.

When queried as to how the standards and the quality of such a prestigious institution had deteriorated, Pieris admitted that there was a drop in the quality of some of the students. He attributed the deterioration of standards to multiple reasons, which he has identified and rectified.

Some of the improvements effected by him relate to the student enrollment process. For example, students are now enrolled purely on merit, with external influence not being taken into consideration. The same practice is followed with regard to employee recruitment.

Pieris added: ‘When I left school in 1982, it was extremely difficult to join Ceylon Hotel School as there was a very clear and a transparent selection process. At present we adopt the same practice.

‘When I assumed duties, one of my first tasks was to look into the existing value chain of the organization and introduce efficiency.

‘The institution follows a strict enrolment process with multiple eliminating stages to ensure that the right candidate is selected.

‘We must ensure that only the right students who have a passion for hospitality are enrolled as this has a positive impact not only in meeting customer expectations, but often exceeding same when our students are in the industry. We have seen this many a time in the industry, where our students have maintained high standards in a consistent manner.

‘Deteriorating standards of English of some of the staff members and students in the school is an issue. It has to be addressed and recommendations are made to the senior management. English is mandatory when engaging in hospitality as well as when being employed.

‘The standards of students who pass out of the institution are high and they could secure employment in any top-class hotel in Sri Lanka with handsome remuneration packages. We need to ensure that every student meets these criteria and this cannot be done overnight. If you look around the leading hotels, most of the General Managers and senior management are former students of SLITHM (Ceylon Hotel School). We need to maintain these standards, be consistent and adopt the best practices at SLITHM. Our main objective is to train people for the local industry.

‘SLITHM had the very first Innovation Fair last week which was an excellent initiative by the Director General – SLITHM, where we were able to witness our students’ innovation and creativity, not restricting to the usual practices but also introducing AI driven technology. During the last two years we have introduced multiple events for students, including sports activities, which will be an annual event from now on.

‘We have nine schools, covering all provinces and at present seven schools run at full capacity and one of the constraints is that we need more space to run the institution. We have already communicated to the authorities requesting additional space to increase the number of students. We are working towards increasing the number of students at the Jaffna and Batticaloa schools as well.

‘It is imperative that we introduce and engage in global best practices and be current with the rapid changes that take place in hospitality and tourism. Restructuring and succession planning have commenced and are on-going.

‘We are also focused on the wellbeing of our employees and have introduced a “Pink Day”, which takes place in October as it is ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’. On this day we have health care experts creating awareness and all our female employees are invited to go through a screening process at no cost. We will be introducing employee engagement initiatives too to ensure that we have a work force that is engaged in being high performers.

‘SLITHM also has the “Samudra Training Hotel” (STH) located in the Colombo School. STH is currently going through a transformation process and will be a fully operational hotel before this winter. The Samudra Restaurant has been fully renovated and is already in operation. The other areas that will be operational soon are the pub, the terrace with a beautiful ocean view and all rooms refurbished with the support of the industry. We have already written to the industry and have received positive responses. The uniqueness of this operation will be that the hotel will be run by students. STH will be a place to talk about very soon.

‘Another area we are working towards is going paperless and introducing automation where applicable. In this day and age, we cannot be comfortable with old practices and need to embrace technology.

‘I must thank my staff for their contribution and continuous support in the transformation process as well as all stakeholders working closely with SLITHM.’

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Business

SLAF, Aviyana Ceylon partner to elevate high-end sports tourism with Eagles’ Monsoon Cup 2026

Published

13 hours ago

2025/12/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

-Sports tourism gets a boost: dignitaries at the sponsorship-formalizing ceremony

Aviyana Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s upcoming ultra-luxury seven-star hospitality project, has stepped decisively into the country’s high-end sports tourism space by coming on board as the principal sponsor of the prestigious Eagles’ Monsoon Cup Golf Tournament 2026, in partnership with the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).

The international-standard golf tournament is scheduled to be held on January 11, 2026, and is expected to attract diplomats, corporate leaders, high-net-worth individuals and overseas golfers, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s positioning as an emerging premium leisure and sporting destination.

Under the patronage of Aviyana Ceylon chairman, Dr. Thisara Hewawasam, the company has committed a Rs. 2.5 million sponsorship, marking one of the most significant private-sector investments in elite golf events in recent years.

The sponsorship was formalised at a ceremonial cheque handover held at the Sri Lanka Air Force Headquarters, where Dr. Hewawasam officially handed over the cheque to Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe.

“Our decision to support the Eagles’ Monsoon Cup goes beyond sport. It is a strategic investment in positioning Sri Lanka as a global luxury tourism and lifestyle destination, Dr. Hewawasam said.

“International sporting events with strong networking potential play a critical role in shaping perceptions, attracting premium travelers and enhancing the country’s brand equity. Aviyana Ceylon is committed to supporting platforms that elevate Sri Lanka’s global standing, he added.

Senior SLAF officials, including chairman, Eagles’ Golf Links, Air Commodore Erandika Gunawardhana, secretary of the Air Force Sports Council and Director Media, Group Captain Eranda Geeganage, Secretary of Eagles’ Golf Links, Group Captain Asanka Ratnayake and SLAF Golf Secretary, Wing Commander R.A.S.T.A. Fernando, along with Aviyana Ceylon representatives and invited guests were present at the event.

Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe welcomed the partnership, noting that collaboration between the military and private sector is vital in developing sports diplomacy and tourism-led economic activity.

“Eagles’ Monsoon Cup has evolved into a premier sporting event that brings together global and local stakeholders. The support extended by Aviyana Ceylon strengthens our ability to host events of international calibre and contributes meaningfully to sports tourism and national image-building, the Air Force Commander said.

Beyond the golf tournament, the partnership opens the door to new experiential tourism initiatives, including a proposed collaboration to offer luxury helicopter tours for Aviyana Ceylon’s clientele, operated in coordination with the Sri Lanka Air Force.

According to Dr. Hewawasam, the concept aims to provide discerning travelers with exclusive aerial experiences showcasing Sri Lanka’s landscapes, coastlines and heritage.

“Luxury heli-tours represent a new dimension in experiential tourism. They allow us to present Sri Lanka’s natural beauty from a unique vantage point, appealing to high-value travelers seeking privacy, exclusivity and unforgettable experiences, he said.

Industry observers note that such initiatives align with global trends where luxury hospitality brands integrate sports, aviation and curated experiences to differentiate destinations and increase average tourist spend.

The Eagles’ Monsoon Cup is widely regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s most elite sporting events, functioning not only as a golf tournament but also as a high-level networking platform linking diplomacy, business and leisure.

By Ifham Nizam

Business

‘Tea industry largely spared cyclone damage’

Published

13 hours ago

2025/12/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘ Back to normal’ : A hill country tea estate.

Reports received by us from tea brokers, the Colombo Tea Traders’ Association (CTTA) and other sources indicated that, by and large, the local tea sector has been spared by the recent weather havoc.

The CTTA in their recent communications said that although Cyclone Ditwah affected parts of Sri Lanka, production, sales, and exports of tea continued without interruption. Clearly, the report said, the well established and highly coordinated industry network was fully geared to confront these issues. Production and sales continued with least disruption . While some tea growing areas in Uva, and the Central Province experienced some impact no loss in manufacturing capacity was reported.

Damage was largely confined to specific roads, resulting in temporary disruptions to transportation. Some key routes connecting plantations to the city have now been reopened and transport services are resuming normal operations. Harvesting operations are gradually returning to normal with access roads being reopened and temporary roads have been constructed to facilitate transport of green leaf to manufacturing locations.

The tea small holders we met said, although their production routine was affected, quick return to normalcy was ensured thanks to the established Tea Small Holders’ Association whose action ensured speedy return to normalcy. They reiterated production was near normal; and the dismal situation was now in a controlled position. They assured that such losses were minimal and could be recouped with minimum delay.

The CTTA further said the majority of plantations and small holder lands in the South of the island were spared cyclone damage. Harvesting, manufacturing and transportation activities are continuing as usual.

Trading activities at the Colombo Tea Auctions continue to be held although with a revised calendar. The tea auction previously set for the 1st week December has been rescheduled for the last week December. This adjustment ensures uninterrupted financial flows to the producers , including small holders, maintaining the momentum of the industry.

Forbes and Walker Tea Brokers reported a national tea sale average for November of Rs. 1137.22 ( USD3.89) which shows an increase of Rs.61.17 and USD 0.02 YOY. The total National Sale Average for the year 2025 ( to date) was recorded at Rs. 1,164.97( USD 3.88). a decline of Rs . 63.49 ( USD 0.17) against the corresponding year’s average of Rs. 1228.46 (USD4.05). The report further said all elevations recorded negative variances during the period January to November 2025 in comparison to the cumulative corresponding year of 2024 in both LKR and USD terms.

By Steve A. Morrell

Business

Elephant House Ice Cream marks historic launch in Australia

Published

13 hours ago

2025/12/30

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC, has launched its iconic Elephant House Ice Cream in Australia, marking a bold step in the brand’s global expansion. The official unveiling took place on 4th December 2025 at the Novotel Melbourne Glen Waverley, where industry leaders, local distributors, and strategic partners gathered to celebrate the occasion. The launch was further honoured by the presence of Ms. Pradeepa Seram, Consul General Designate of Sri Lanka, and Ms. Cassandra Fernando, Member of the Australian Parliament, reflecting the deep and growing connections between Sri Lanka and Australia.

Elephant House is one of the highest-penetrated Sri Lankan brands among Sri Lankan communities living overseas, with a presence in 16 countries, including the Maldives, Australia, and the United Kingdom, among others.

In a significant milestone for the company, Elephant House Ice Cream is now manufactured locally in Melbourne to support wider availability in the ethnic market in Australia. The range currently available includes Vanilla, Karutha Kolomban, and Fruit and Nut in 500ml packs. This marks the first time in CCS’s 150-year legacy that Elephant House Ice Cream has been produced outside Sri Lanka, signalling a new chapter in the company’s international growth journey in collaboration with Millennium Imports Pty Ltd, it’s one of the franchise partners for Australia.