The Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association launched it’s Golden Anniversary celebrations with the holding it’s Annual General Meeting on the 16th of October 2021. Traditionally a much looked forward to event in the association’s calendar, taking into consideration the current pandemic and the related health and safety guidelines, the event was held virtually with the attendance of a few invitees including past presidents and office bearers. Though virtual, the event was a huge success with over 200 members joining from all over the world.

Mr. Asela Wavita, a graduate of Ceylon Hotel School and School of Tourism (Presently Known as Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management), is an experienced hospitality professional and the General Manager of Victoria Golf and Country Resort, Kandy. He was elected as the President of the Association for the term 2021/22. Incidentally, he is a product of Kandy Campus of SLITHM / CHS and the first from the Kandy campus to be elected to this prestigious position. He takes over the reins from Mr. Priyal Perera. Mr. Patrick Pereira and Mrs. Gitanjali Chakravarty were elected as Vice Presidents with Mrs. Irandi Wijegunawardane being appointed as the General Secretary and Mr. Dinesh Hettiarachchi being appointed as the treasurer. This year’s committee comprises of many hospitality professionals with different specializations and hold senior management positions in the industry.

While commending the Past Presidents and the past committees over the last 5 decades for their hard work and dedication in bringing the Association to the level it is today, during his speech, Mr. Wavita stated that “As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary, during a pandemic and with hopes and prayers of recovery and rebounding, the association needs to be pragmatic and look at meeting the requirements of the industry while having the best interest of it’s members at heart.”

Established in 1971, the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association. The alumni of Sri Lanka Institute Tourism and Hotel Management has gained the trust of the hospitality industry, not only as an association of eminent hospitality professionals, but also as a body that has contributed back to society with its CSR initiatives through the years. With a membership of over 1500 individuals, who hold influential positions both locally and internationally, the CHSGA has worked effectively to build a closer community that continues to promote unity, dedication and networking in the hospitality sector.