Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Colombo launches General Manager On-The-Job Mentorship in celebration of IWD 2023 

Colombo, Thursday 9th March 2023: Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts is committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive and supportive of all our employees. The organization’s belief is that gender equity is both a moral and commercial imperative. When everyone has equal opportunities to succeed, the company benefits holistically. In keeping with the theme of #PurpleistheNewPink, the Colombo sector properties of the Cinnamon brand launched the “General Manager On-The-Job Mentorship Training Programme” today. Under the programme three aspiring female associates were chosen for a comprehensive mentorship under the current General Managers of Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo and Cinnamon Red Colombo.

Dini Isaacs, Director – Sales | Corporate & Social Events from Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Gayani Punchihewa, Front Office Manager at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo and Vinuri Nanayakkara, Assistant Manager, Learning & Development at Cinnamon Red Colombo took over the reins of running all operations at the three properties today (8th) and will continue on-the-job training and mentorship.

Speaking on the launch of the programme Area Vice President, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Colombo, Kamal Munasinghe said, “The Cinnamon brand has been a catalyst in adopting and promoting best practices that enable women to enter the hospitality industry and strengthen the workforce with their unique skills and talents. We constantly encourage our female associates to aim high and persevere, and this programme is truly a stepping stone for our ladies to break barriers and reach for their ultimate career goals. We are also proud to celebrate the Cinnamon theme for this year #PurpleistheNewPink which denotes a sense of regality and empowerment that all women possess. I am immensely proud of the three ladies who have taken on the roles of General Managers of the respective properties today, and look forward to many more stepping up to the challenge”.

Under the mentorship programme the ladies not only take on the role of General Manager but also comprehensively learn and understand the different functions in hotel operations, an overall look at the brand’s impact on the tourism industry in Sri Lanka and are also given the opportunity to present groundbreaking new ideas which can truly take the Cinnamon and Sri Lankan brand of hospitality to the world.

Cinnamon, along with ONE JKH, has acknowledged the need to create an environment to address gender equality across the business and increase female participation in non-traditional roles. Cinnamon’s “EmpowHer” is an Employee Resource Group, created as a platform for the female colleagues to network, collaborate, and ideate. As a leading hospitality brand, the vision is to lead by example in making the industry a place where women can excel and prosper, showcasing that there are diverse long-term career opportunities.