Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts announces new leadership appointments across Sri Lanka resort properties

Southern Coast Resorts,  Sri Lanka Area General Manager Lankesha Ponnamperuma

Central and Eastern Resorts,  Sri Lanka Area General Manager Murfad Shariff

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon Resort Manager Thanuja Mudiyanselage

Cinnamon Citadel Kandy Resort Manager Charith Goonasekara

Habarana Village by Cinnamon Resort Manager Fowme Ibrahim

Cinnamon Bey Beruwala Resort Manager Keerthi Wimalasuriya

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has announced a series of senior leadership transitions across its Sri Lankan resort portfolio, reflecting the Group’s strategic commitment to strengthening internal talent pipelines, advancing inclusive leadership, and driving operational excellence across its Sri Lanka Resort portfolio.

Murfad Shariff has been appointed Area General Manager – Central and Eastern Resorts, Sri Lanka, overseeing Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, Habarana Village by Cinnamon, Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, Cinnamon Citadel Kandy, and the newly opened Kandy Myst by Cinnamon. With nearly 30 years of distinguished experience in the hospitality industry working in Sri Lanka and abroad, he is known for people-focused leadership and a strong sustainability record. An alumnus of Trinity College, Kandy and an Associate Member of the SLHGA, he led Cinnamon Citadel Kandy to win SATA and Chairman’s Awards in 2017 and contributed to national sustainability accolades in 2023 and 2024. His appointment ensures values-driven leadership and continuity across Cinnamon Sri Lanka Resort portfolio. 

Simultaneously, Lankesha Ponnamperuma has been appointed Area General Manager – Southern Coast Resorts, Sri Lanka, overseeing operations at Cinnamon Bey Beruwala, Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, and Cinnamon Wild. With over 15 years of executive experience in international hospitality, he is recognised for driving exceptional guest satisfaction, financial performance, and effective multi-property operations. Lankesha holds a Master of Business in International Hotel Management from the University of Queensland, a Bachelor’s from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and a Diploma from the Ceylon Hotel School. An alumnus of Trinity College, Kandy, his global perspective and operational expertise continue to strengthen Cinnamon’s leadership across its beach resort portfolio.

In alignment with this strategic leadership structure, several resort-level transitions will take effect as well,

Thanuja Mudiyanselage has been appointed Resort Manager at Trinco Blu by Cinnamon, marking a significant step in Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to advancing female leadership in operations. As the second female Resort Manager in the Group, her appointment highlights the strength of Cinnamon’s internal talent pipeline. With over 14 years at Cinnamon, she is a product of the Group’s talent development culture, having completed MAP, LEAP, and the Manager Development Program with ISH. Thanuja holds a Master of Business Studies (Merit) from NSBM Green University and received specialised training at the Emirates Academy in Dubai. Starting her career at Cinnamon Citadel Kandy and with prior experience at Jetwing Hotels, she brings people-focused leadership and deep operational insight to her new role.

Fowme Ibrahim, assumes the role of the Resort Manager of Habarana Village by Cinnamon, following a successful three-year tenure in Trincomalee marked by consistent operational improvements and guest satisfaction. An alumnus of Trinity College, Kandy and a graduate of the Ceylon Hotel School and School of Tourism, Fowme’s early industry experience at Aitken Spence Hotels shaped his adaptive approach to resort operations. His return to Habarana signals a renewed focus on eco-conscious guest experiences and community-driven hospitality.

Cinnamon Citadel Kandy welcomes Charith Goonasekara as its new Resort Manager. A seasoned hospitality professional and returning member of the Cinnamon Citadel Kandy team, Charith began his leadership journey at the property as Front Office Manager. His trajectory has been shaped by a series of rigorous leadership development programs at Cinnamon, including MAP, LEAP, and the MDP in collaboration with ISH. He completed his Master of Business Studies at NSBM Green University, marking a personal and professional milestone. Charith brings with him a deep understanding of urban resort dynamics, a sharp focus on guest engagement, and a keen eye for team development.

Keerthi Wimalasuriya, will move to the southern coast as Resort Manager at Cinnamon Bey Beruwala. A graduate of SLITHM with specialisation in Rooms Division, Keerthi began his career with Cinnamon as a Management Trainee in 2005 and has since held key positions across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Currently reading for his MBA at Esoft University, he brings with him two decades of proven experience in service delivery, project oversight, and operational leadership. 

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka Resorts Area Vice President Johan Aschan commented on the appointments, “These leadership transitions represent far more than new roles – they reflect our commitment to developing talent with depth, perspective, and destination insight. Each of these individuals brings not only operational expertise, but also an innate understanding of our brand’s values. As we continue to evolve across our key destinations, these appointments are vital in ensuring we deliver consistent, elevated experiences for our guests, while building a resilient and inclusive leadership culture from within.”

These appointments reflect Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ strategic focus on leadership continuity, internal talent progression, and aligning management expertise with the unique needs of each destination. With these transitions, the brand is reinforcing its commitment to operational consistency and service excellence. Each appointee brings the experience and leadership capability required to guide their teams effectively and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth of the Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.