Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Wins “Leadership in Gender Equality” at DEI Champions Awards 2025

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has been honoured with the “Leadership in Gender Equality” award at the inaugural DEI Champions Awards 2025, celebrating its exceptional commitment to fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) across the hospitality sector.

A Landmark Recognition

Organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce under the SCOPE Programme, co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Foreign Office, and implemented by GIZ Sri Lanka in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, the awards spotlight businesses embedding inclusive values into their organisational culture.

Cinnamon’s DE&I Journey

Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts was recognised for its holistic approach to inclusion, with efforts extending far beyond recruitment. From retention and workplace safety to training, engagement, and leadership development, the group has championed:

• Advancing female leadership
• Empowering underrepresented communities
• Supporting persons with disabilities
• Fostering youth development

Signature initiatives such as EmpowHer, the PWD Inclusion Plan, and community projects like Hikka Batiks, Palmyra Creations, the Diriyata Athwalak Project, and The Kadjan Roof Weaving Project (Maldives) further demonstrate Cinnamon’s impact on both employees and communities.

A Message of Inclusion

“We are honoured to be recognised as a DEI Champion. At Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, inclusion is embedded in the way we operate. We believe diversity fuels creativity, equity drives opportunity, and inclusion inspires belonging. This award reflects the collective commitment of our teams to building a more inclusive future for the hospitality industry and the communities we serve.”
— Hishan Singhawansa, CEO, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts

Industry Leaders Unite

The awards brought together over 250 participants, including industry leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and development partners. The evening was graced by Deputy Minister of Industries & Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of National Integration Muneer Mulaffer, and Ceylon Chamber Chairman Krishan Balendra.

Leading by Example

This recognition reaffirms Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ role as a pioneer in inclusive hospitality in Sri Lanka and the Maldives—offering a blueprint for the region on how businesses can integrate DE&I as a driver of innovation, community empowerment, and long-term success.