The 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association took place at the Taj Samudra Hotel on Saturday, 19th September, 2020. As an association, CHSGA is widely recognized for setting standards and for its service to the tourism and hospitality industry.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Services Mr. S. Hettiarachchi graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, whilst Mrs. Kimarli Fernando – Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) as well as the Sri Lanka Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management (SLITHM) attended as the Guest of honour and the Army Chief, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva was the Key Note Speaker for the ceremonial sessions of this year’s AGM.
A gala post AGM evening was organized for members to meet and network during cocktails and a grand dinner.
Mr. Priyal Perera, an hotelier with over 30 years’ experience in the hotel sector, was re-elected as the President for the term 2020/21. Priyal is an experienced hospitality professional with diverse experience. His vast portfolio includes management in the areas of Food & Beverage, and Hotel & Hospitality Industry Management. He is a Graduate of the Ceylon Hotel School having specialized in Food & Beverage Operations.
CHSGA honored Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army and the Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), by inviting him to deliver the keynote address at the event.
In his speech, he outlined the major drawbacks Sri Lankan tourism had to suffer with the long-drawn war, tsunami tragedy, and lately of the Easter Sunday terrorist attack. During his speech he touched on the rejuvenated security arrangements, now in place, and pointed out extensively about the fight against COVID-19 and measures that were adopted for prevention of the transmission from day one. He also reminded those present of endeavors made, during the first few weeks after the outbreak of the virus in Sri Lanka and of getting the assistance of hoteliers to use their hotels as “Quarantine Centres.”
Mrs. Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson, Sri Lanka Tourism spoke out on ‘Prospects of Tourism in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic’, elaborating on what stood favorable for the country, what makes Sri Lanka special and the opportunities for new prospects in the future.
CHSGA will be celebrating its golden celebration (50th Anniversary in 2021) to mark its rich history of service to the industry. Its pivotal role over the last five decades included several activities for its members and for the development of SLITHM. The events planned to be held to coincide with the 50th anniversary would include the Hotel Show, Gravitas Hoteliers Dance, Avurudu Hamuwa, Xmas Party and many career development projects for the students of SLITHM. Furthermore, CHSGA has introduced an insurance policy for its members.
