The 52nd Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA) unfolded with great anticipation and grandeur on October 6, at the Anantara Kalutara Resort.
Officials from various corners of the globe, converged to partake in a cordial atmosphere, forge new connections, and reconnect with friends, families and industry professionals.
Patrick Pereira President, SLHGA
The gathering, a highly anticipated fixture on the association’s annual calendar, attracted nearly 300 attendees, including corporate leaders, luminaries in the business world, accomplished hotel General Managers, and seasoned industry professionals. Established in 1971, SLHGA, an alumni association of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, stands as the largest and most esteemed professional organisation for hoteliers in the country, extending invaluable support to a membership base that spans over 1500 members across the island.
The chief guest was Shirantha Pieris, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM). However, the event’s centerpiece was the installation of the New Executive Committee for the year 2023/24.
Patrick Pereira, Vice President of Learning and Development/ Rooms Division at Aitken Spence Hotel Management, ascended to the role of the association’s president for the 2023/24 term, succeeding the outgoing President, Asela Wewita, the General Manager of Kandalama Hotel.
The AGM saw the election of Gitanjali Chakravarty, General Manager of Hilton Yala Resort, and Dinesh Hettiarachi, General Manager of Mandarina Colombo, as Vice Presidents. Dixon Kumara, a Senior Lecturer at SLITHM, was elected as the General Secretary, while Thakshila Galappathth, the Resident Manager of Club Hotel Dolphin, was appointed as Treasurer.
Patrick Pereira took the opportunity to commend the Past Presidents and previous committees for their unwavering dedication and hard work in elevating the Association to its current esteemed position.
He said, “With the renewed hope brought about by a consistent rise in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka and a heightened focus on tourism, this juncture presents a significant opportunity for SLHGA to expand its horizons, evolving into a regional professional association and fostering a community of hospitality professionals capable of showcasing the brand of Sri Lankan Hospitality on the global stage.”
This year’s SLHGA AGM marked a momentous occasion, not only in its dedication to recognising outstanding professionals but also in its vision for the future, which seeks to propel Sri Lankan hospitality to new heights, under the leadership of Patrick Pereira and the newly appointed Executive Committee.
