The Hayleys Leisure Training Academy, a pioneering initiative by Hayleys Leisure, held its second graduation ceremony on the 9th of April 2024 at Amaya Lake, Dambulla. The event underscores the organisation’s dedication to fostering talent and offering opportunities, as it celebrated the graduation of 35 exceptional students. These students were chosen from a pool of 470 applicants, with 60 initially selected and 43 successfully completing the course.
Graced by the esteemed presence of Mr. Rohan Karr, Managing Director of Hayleys Leisure, along with key figures including Mr. Chris Quyn, Chief Operating Officer of Amaya Resorts and Spas, and General Managers from Amaya Hills, Amaya Beach, and Amaya Lake, the ceremony marked a significant milestone in the journey of these graduates towards a promising career in the hospitality industry.
The Hayleys Leisure Training Academy focuses on catering to disadvantaged fractions of youth in Sri Lanka including students without basic educational qualifications and members of lesser affluent backgrounds. The academy provides comprehensive training in various aspects of the hospitality profession, with the cost fully borne by Hayleys Leisure. Upon completion of the programme after thorough theoretical and practical examination, the graduates are provided with an option of employment at one of Hayleys Leisure’s extensive network of hotels, resorts and boutiques, including esteemed subsidiaries as The Kingsbury Colombo, Amaya Resorts and Spas, and the Boutique Collection by Amaya.
The ceremony highlighted outstanding graduates with Awards for Excellence in Subjects. Preethika Madubhashini excelled in Front Office, Shamin Vidarshan in Food & Beverage, Thishan Vijayakumara in Housekeeping, and Dulakshi Karunanayaka in Kitchen Operations. In addition, special recognition was bestowed upon the most outstanding students of the batch: with Kavindu Karunarathne in 3rd Place, Eranga Perera in 2nd Place and Thishan Wijayakumara securing 1st Place and garnering the esteemed title of Batch Top of Hayleys Leisure Training Academy’s Second Batch.
The presence of the graduates’ parents, distinguished guests, and dedicated staff members of Hayleys Leisure added to the significance of the occasion, underscoring the collaborative effort towards nurturing talent and driving positive change in the community. Moving forward, the Hayleys Leisure Training Academy remains committed to its mission of empowering youth and creating pathways to success, ensuring a brighter future for Sri Lanka’s ever evolving landscape of tourism and hospitality.
