Kuttan, probably the oldest employee in the global leisure industry, passes away after 70 years of service
Kuttan, the iconic doorman at the Galle Face hotel who made history by becoming one of the oldest hotel workers in the world, passed away peacefully in the early hours of November 8, his loyal employer – the Galle Face Hotel said.
In honour of a personality that cannot be forgotten the hotel observed a minute’s silence. Kottarappu Chathu Kuttan ran away from his home in Kerala, India when his parents died, and has been domiciled in Sri Lanka ever since.He hadn’t gone back to India for a while until the Chairman of the Galle Face Hotel Group offered him a trip to Kerala. Kuttan has lived to see the many changes in the hotel and in the country. He joined Galle Face Hotel during the latter part of the British rule in Sri Lanka. Kuttan’s career which began as a restaurant waiter was followed by becoming the hotel’s prestigious usher. Kuttan was an integral part of the hotel operations, the hotel said. Kuttan celebrated his 94th birthday on February 15, 2014.
Kuttan, the iconic doorman at the Galle Face hotel