Priyal Perera re-elected as President of Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association at 49th AGM

Executive Committee of CHSGA 2021 with Keynote Speaker Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Sri Lankan Army Commander Shavendra Silva (7th from left), Guest of Honour Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimali Fernando (6th from left) CHSGA Priyal Perera President (8th from left)

Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Sri Lankan Army Commander Shavendra Silva with the female members of the CHSGA

 Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Sri Lankan Army Commander Shavendra Silva (centre) and Trevine Gomez (extreme right) with CHSGA members

Thakshila, Dikson, Gitanjali and Patrick

The 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association (CHSGA) took place at the Taj Samudra Hotel on Saturday, 19 September, 2020. CHSGA is widely recognised for setting standards and its service to the tourism and hospitality industry. 

The Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Services S. Hettiarachchi attended the occasion as the Chief Guest, whilst Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and Sri Lanka Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management (SLITHM) Chairperson Kimarli Fernando attended as the Guest of honour and Army Chief Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva was the Keynote Speaker for the ceremonial sessions of this year’s AGM. 

A gala post AGM evening was organised for members to meet and network during cocktails and a grand dinner.

Priyal Perera, a hotelier with over 30 years’ experience in the hotel sector, was re-elected as the President for the term 2020/21. Priyal is an experienced hospitality professional with diverse experience. His vast portfolio includes management in the areas of food and beverage and hotel and hospitality industry management. He graduated from Ceylon Hotel School specialising in Food and Beverage Operations. 

CHSGA honoured Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and the Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) by inviting him to deliver the keynote address at the event.

In his speech, he outlined major drawbacks Sri Lankan tourism had to suffer with the long-drawn war, tsunami tragedy, and lately of the Easter Sunday terrorist attack. During his speech he touched on the rejuvenated security arrangements, now in place and pointed out extensively about the fight against COVID-19 and measures that were adopted for prevention of the transmission from the day one. He also reminded them of endeavours made during the first few weeks after outbreak of the virus in Sri Lanka to get the assistance of hoteliers to use their hotels as quarantine centres.

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando spoke on ‘Prospects of Tourism in the wake of COVID-19 Epidemic,’ elaborating on what stood favourable for the country, what makes Sri Lanka special and the opportunities for new prospects in the future.

CHSGA will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021 to mark its rich history of service to the industry. Its pivotal role over the last five decades included several activities for its members and for the development of SLITHM. The events planned to be held to coincide with its anniversary would include the Hotel Show, Gravitas Hoteliers Dance, Avurudu Hamuwa, Xmas Party and many career development projects for the students of SLITHM. Furthermore, CHSGA has introduced an insurance policy for its members.