News Release - Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts

News Release
Cinnamon Grand celebrates a successful First Quarter at its Associate
Quarterly Meeting
Having completed an immensely successful first quarter, Cinnamon Grand conducted its
Associate Quarterly Meeting on August 15 in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom, with the participation
of over 600 employees.
The event is a platform to inform associates about the hotel’s performance as well as reward
and recognize outstanding employees. The meeting of August 15 also took on something of a
celebratory tone as the associates were brought up to date with the latest achievements of the
hotel in financial, sporting and environmental spheres.
During its first quarter, Cinnamon Grand has recorded an impressive financial performance,
being at the top of its competition in terms of Room Revenue and Food and Beverage Revenue.
The hotel also received high praise from the tour operating arm of Emirates Airlines, for being
“the only Five Star Hotel in the City.” In its publication ‘A World of Choice’ Emirates ranks
Cinnamon Grand among some of the best hotels and resorts in a large network of around 550,
based on comprehensive research conducted on the industry.
Cinnamon Grand was the first hotel in Asia to be awarded ISO Certification in three categories-
in 2006-‘A Better Tomorrow’ (ISO 14001), ‘ More than Just a Taste,’ (ISO 22000) and ‘Safe at
Work’ (OHSAS 18001), and Rajitha Amarasinghe was given Special Recognition for his
commitment and focus towards the annual recertification process.
Further, Cinnamon Grand’s continued focus on and commitment to environmental
consciousness and sustainability were recently reaffirmed when the hotel received Green Globe
Certification- an international endorsement which evaluates sustainable practice within the
travel and tourism sector. The hotel’s score- 65%- was the highest score to be secured by a city
property, and Shashi Jayawardene received a commendation for the effort put into receiving
this endorsement.
General Manager Rohan Karr also commended and congratulated several dynamic and
dedicated members of the team, some of whom brought pride to the hotel with their prowess
in sports and success in numerous industry competitions.
Among these was Chef N.P.W.J Weeraman, winner of the first Gold Excellence Award for his
intricately detailed, life-like edible dough sculpture of an eagle on a hunt. As a whole, the
culinary staff of the hotel put up an impressive performance at the Annual Culinary Awards,
securing five Gold Medals, 17 Silver Medals and 13 Bronze Medals.
At the recently conducted Marie Brizard Bartenders Cocktail and Flaring Competition, Cinnamon
Grand created history when for the first time in 20 years, one hotel won in two categories
where A.M.D Sampath and E. Cheshan Buddhika emerged winners in the categories of the
Classic Cocktail and the Flaring Competition respectively. This was following the Hotel’s

performance at the preliminary rounds of the competition where it was the hotel with the
largest number of entrants into the final round held in July.
The Grand’s cricket team also received a round of thunderous applause for emerging the proud
winners in a Big Match (Battle of the Spices) held between the group’s city properties-
Cinnamon Grand and Cinnamon Lakeside. The group also joined in a hearty cheer for the
Women’s Cricket Team which emerged Runners Up at the Travel Trade Cricket Match. Further,
at the Masters Long Course Championship 2011, Edward Vandendriesen bagged five Gold
Medals, and was declared champion in the over 55 category in addition to succeeding in
breaking one of his own records. He also coached the Cinnamon Grand Swimming Team to
emerge Runners Up at the JKH Swimming Meet.
General Manager’s Special Awards were given to Asiri Condegama (F & B) - the Cocktail Training
and Motivational Guru for his untiring efforts, to Vasantha Fernando (laundry) for his honesty
and integrity by returning nearly Rs. 400,000 belonging to a guest, and to Dilini Rajapakse for her
dedication to go the extra miles with a smile! Mario Gibson, the dynamic butler was declared
Associate of the Quarter for his endorsement by world renowned author and motivational
speaker Robin Sharma as being “like Aladdin- ever present,” and for his level of customer focus.
He was followed by nominees for the award- A.J Fernando of the Kitchen Staff, D.H.K.S Silva of
Housekeeping, and Madhu Samarasinghe of Banquets for their passion and drive in providing
the best of service.
The Associates Quarterly Meeting was concluded with a further commitment to striving toward
fulfilling higher goals in the future while remaining socially responsible and building on
sustainable practices.
(ENDS)

Asiri Kondegama (GM's Special Award)

Associate of the Quarter_ Mario Gibson (Excutive Floor) with GM Rohan Karr

Dilini Rajapakse (GM's Special Award)

Edward Vandendriesen(Swimming Champ)

Rajitha Amarasinghe (Specials Recognition Award for ISO Recertification process)

Shashi Jayawardene (Specials Recognition Award)

The trophies won by Cinnamon Grand Associates