Over 25,000 tourists arrive amidst and post-Cyclone Ditwah

Cinnamon Life at COD gets 5-Star stamp

Saturday, 6 December 2025 02:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam (right) presents the Five Star certification to Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams (COD) CEO and General Manager Sanjiv Hulugalle. Hotel Manager Roshan George is also present – Pic by Sameera Wijesinghe

Over 25,000 tourists have arrived amidst and post-Cyclone Ditwah prompting officials to express confidence that the country’s resilience despite natural disasters bodes well.

The inflow of tourists during the past five days was revealed by Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam at the presentation of Five Star certification to Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams yesterday.

He also said that around 250 tourists who were stranded in flood stricken areas were brought back to the city and cared for after which many continued their tour.

“Tourism can rebound faster even though it is first to be impacted following a natural disaster. This resilience is a big strength for the economy and those dependent,” Hewawasam emphasised.

Sri Lanka’s tourism surpassed 2.1 million arrivals in the first 11 months, whilst November recorded the highest number of visitors since March 2025. The country welcomed 212,906 tourists in November, marking a 16% year-on-year (YoY) growth. It also recorded the highest November arrivals in five years.

In the context of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams being the 33rd to be conferred Five Star hotel status in the country by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Hewawasam said Colombo needs to be revitalised and has the great potential to become the hub in South Asia for leisure, entertainment and MICE tourism.

Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams CEO and General Manager Sanjiv Hulugalle said: “We are deeply honoured to receive this Five-Star Certification from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to world-class service, guest centric innovation, and the elevated experiences that define Cinnamon Life. Our aspiration is to set new standards for luxury, leisure, and MICE tourism in the region, while supporting Sri Lanka’s positioning on the global stage.”