Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts appointed Hishan Singhawansa as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the brand with a portfolio spanning 17 hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

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With over 17 years of experience at the John Keells Group, Singhawansa steps into the role at a pivotal time for the region’s tourism industry. His appointment comes as both Sri Lanka and the Maldives strengthen their position as global travel destinations, with the Maldives continuing to draw international travellers seeking luxury, authenticity, and sustainability.

“The Maldives represents one of the most sought-after destinations in the world, and our resorts here embodies the international standards, sustainability, and unique guest experiences,” said Singhawansa. “We are focused on scale, innovation, and consistency, ensuring that our guests enjoy world-class, personalised stays while we champion community empowerment and environmental stewardship.”

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts operates four properties in the Maldives, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, each boasts of unique characteristics of pristine natural beauty backed with responsible tourism practices. The brand has launched impactful initiatives in coral restoration, eco-parks, marine conservation, and community engagement, enabling guests to be active participants in sustainability.

Beyond operations, Cinnamon continues to invest in the future of hospitality through the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy, which upskills talent to meet world-class standards and encourages greater youth participation in the industry. The academy also places emphasis on women’s empowerment, aiming to increase female representation to 30% within the next three years.

As the only Sri Lankan brand within the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts connects with over 30 million members worldwide through its Cinnamon Discovery loyalty programme, further expanding its global reach.

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With this appointment, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts reinforces its ambition to play a defining role in the tourism growth of Sri Lanka and the Maldives, uniting authenticity, innovation, and scale to deliver exceptional hospitality.