Legendary Chandra honoured
View(s):A long-standing leader in the hospitality industry, Chandra Wickramasinghe, was awarded the prestigious title ‘Tourism Legend’ at the sixth Sri Lanka Tourism awards hosted by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority on December 6th, 2018.
His key achievements include the forming of the inbound tour operator Connaissance De Ceylan in the early 1980’s.Thereafter, he ventured into hoteliering by building Culture Club Kandalama in 1994 (now known as Amaya Lake) and then, Le Kandyan (now known as Amaya Hills). His passion and interest in building unique and authentic properties continued as he embarked on a remarkable projectin the East, ‘Maalu Maalu Resort’ in Passikudah after a 30-year civil war in the country. This success inspired him to continue on this journey and he proceeded to create the following hotels: Aliya Resort & Spa – Sigiriya, Kithala Resort – Tissamaharama, Mountbatten Bungalow – Kandy, Scottish Planter Glendevon Bungalow – Nuwara-Eliya (The Best Bungalow in Sri Lanka, 2018)and Ayurvie – Weligama, which now fall under the well-recognized, Theme Resorts and Spas cluster. Moreover, he also heads CDC Events (Connaissance De Ceylan Events) which is one of the most recognized event management companies, in the country.
He has been extremely successful in all his ventures, yet, we know that his journey and his achievements are far from over as he has many other projects in the pipeline.
As an iconic figure in Sri Lanka Tourism, Chandra has been heavily involved in the tourism governing bodies over the years. He was the former president of the Travel Agents Association of Sri Lanka (TAASL), Member of Tourism Think Tank, Former President of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) – and a member of the board up-to date, Board Member of both Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).
Moreover, he plays a major role in many eco-friendly and socio-economic projects in the country. This includes “Plant a Coral” at Maalu Maalu Resort which is done hand-in-hand with the Wildlife Research and Conservation Trust (WRCT), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Tokyo Cement, volunteers from the University of Peradeniya and the locals in the Passikudah area, ‘Reconstruire et Vivre’ R.e.V (Rebuild & Live), a Non-Profit Organization guided by Chandra, that conducts classes at 3 computer centers, 3 pre-schools, 1 language center built by them for the students of the area, around 100 houses constructed for victims of the 2004 tsunami and many other projects for the community and country.
Additionally, in recognition of his services, Chandra was bestowed the honorary distinction of Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite, by the French Government. This is a French order of merit with membership awarded by the President of the French Republic and is one of the highest national Honors in France. He received this for his expertise in the field of tourism and for his contribution towards strengthening the economic and cultural ties, as well as mutual understanding between France and Sri Lanka.
His involvement in the nation of France also led him to be the founding president of Alliance Française de Kotte.
