Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has appointed Hishan Singhawansa as its new Chief Executive Officer, signalling a strategic emphasis on India as a key driver of Sri Lanka’s tourism growth.

Singhawansa, who brings over 17 years of experience with the John Keells Group (JKH), assumes leadership at a time when arrivals from India have surged by more than 30 per cent in the first half of 2025, reaffirming India as Sri Lanka’s largest source market.

“Sri Lanka is one of the most accessible and exciting destinations for Indian travellers, just 90 minutes away from Chennai and Bengaluru, and under four hours from Delhi and Mumbai,” said Singhawansa. “With scale, innovation, and consistency, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is ready to elevate these connections, offering luxury, lifestyle, and authentic experiences that resonate deeply with Indian leisure, MICE, and wedding segments.”

Cinnamon’s flagship property, Cinnamon Life Colombo, is a US$1.2 billion integrated resort, the largest of its kind in South Asia. The development features 687 rooms and 160,000 sq. ft. of MICE facilities capable of hosting up to 5,000 guests, positioning Colombo alongside Singapore, Bangkok, and Dubai as a hub for Indian weddings, corporate events, and large-scale conferences.

Beyond infrastructure, the group is investing in people and purpose. The Cinnamon Hospitality Academy aims to equip Sri Lanka’s workforce to meet international standards, while initiatives such as EmpowHer target a 30 per cent increase in women’s participation in hospitality over three years, building safer and more inclusive workplaces. Cinnamon Nature Trails, the brand’s conservation-led tourism arm, offers experiential journeys from whale watching to wildlife safaris, tapping into India’s growing interest in sustainable travel.

“Tourism is about economic transformation and community empowerment,” added Singhawansa. “Our commitment is to be a catalyst for change, ensuring Indian travellers not only experience the best of Sri Lanka but also contribute to uplifting local communities.”

As the only Sri Lankan brand within the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts connects with over 30 million loyalty members worldwide through its Cinnamon Discovery programme. With a portfolio of 17 hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the group is strategically positioned to capture India’s outbound growth, combining authenticity, innovation, and scale to strengthen Sri Lanka and the Maldives as leading global destinations.