Business Travel

Aitken Spence to train fourth batch of students

The Aitken Spence School of Hospitality in Ahungalla will commence its training program for its fourth batch of students next month. The three preceding batches passing out, numbering 74 is a success story in moulding rural youth aspiring to make their mark in the international hospitality trade.

The school of hospitality was conceptualised as a corporate social responsibility initiative of Aitken Spence.

The hospitality school which commenced its operations in 2007 conducted its inaugural session in Beruwela at the Neptune Hotel, prior to moving to its purpose- built premises in Ahungalla, which is built in partnership with Hilfswerk of Austria through the Chamber of Commerce - Vienna.

The school’s curriculum involves training in basic food and beverage inclusive of theoretical as well as practical aspects. The lecture panel comprises veteran Aitken Spence Hotels officials counting decades of industry experience as well as visiting lecturers from leading academic institutions.

Three months of comprehensive theoretical training will be followed by a nine-month industrial training session in one of the Aitken Spence Hotels.

During this time the students are provided with a monthly allowance and in successfully completing the session the students are offered permanent employment within the hotel chain.

The students can look forward to a rewarding career in the hospitality trade in Sri Lanka as well as abroad in the rapidly growing network of Aitken Spence resorts oversees or through Aitken Spence Resources, which facilitates employment in the international hospitality industry.

The school plans to expand its curriculum into housekeeping, basic level reception and professional cookery. In addition, proposed infrastructure for a training kitchen, restaurant and more classrooms are planned for the near future.

The school also has in-house accommodation for up to 40 students. Recreational activities include a library, common room and playground for cricket and volleyball.

Cinnamon Grand walk to raise funds for Cancer Hospital

Going beyond the theme of ‘indulgence’, Cinnamon Grand’s charity initiative, ‘Spread a Little Sunshine’, undertakes its most ambitious project to date, since its launch in September 2007 - a 16 kilometre walk to the Maharagama Cancer Hospital from the hotel premises at 6 am on July 17.

The aim of the walk is to raise funds for a much needed theatre lamp for the hospital’s new operating theatre and to create awareness of this debilitating disease.

Four-hundred associates of Team Cinnamon Grand led by General Manager Rohan Karr and the management will walk to raise the Rs. 1.8 million for the theatre lamp, while distributing educational material on the detection, treatment and prevention of cancer.

At the conclusion of the walk which is billed to take about three hours, the cheque for Rs. 1.8 million will be presented to the Director of the Maharagama Cancer Hospital, Dr. Kanishka Karunaratne at the hospital premises.

“Our aim, through this walk is to reach out to the public.

The theatre lamp will undoubtedly help the cancer afflicted community and will aid in taking up more cases for surgery. This is another way for us to show our community that we care,” said Karr.

The ‘Spread a Little Sunshine’ initiative has the support of all associates of Cinnamon Grand and has seen numerous projects since its launch.

“This is also not the first time that the hotel has been associated with the Cancer Hospital,” said Karr. For the walk, funds were collected on a privately circulated card system among the Associates, who requested donations from family and friends. Each Associate aimed to collect a minimum of Rs. 5,000 each.

Revised schedule on Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines will operate its daily services between Colombo and Singapore on a revised schedule from August 10. SQ466 will depart Singapore daily at 1045 hours and will arrive in Colombo at 1155 hours, SQ467 from Colombo will leave at 1310 hours and will arrive in Singapore at 1940 hours.