Chandra Wickramasinghe marks Golden Jubilee in tourism

Veteran hotelier Chandra Wickramasinghe, affectionately known as ‘Connaissance Chandra’, marked a golden milestone last week as he celebrated fifty years in Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism industry, completing fifty years of service to the sector. It is a journey defined by vision, resilience and a lifelong passion for hospitality.

Born on June 5, 1953, in Kurunegala and educated at Maliyadeva College, Wickramasinghe entered the hospitality trade in the early 1970s and went on to establish himself as one of the country’s leading hoteliers, playing a key role in shaping Sri Lanka’s modern tourism industry. 

His early journey into tourism began in 1975, when he started following a Diploma in Tourism from the Sri Lanka Technical College, Colombo 10, while also studying French at the Alliance Française de Colombo.

In 1982, Wickramasinghe and his partners established Connaissance de Ceylan, a specialised travel agency that soon became a pioneering force in inbound tourism mainly with the French market. His ventures expanded further in 1994 with the opening of the ‘Culture Club Resort’ in Dambulla on the opposite bank of Kandalama Lake, the first hotel to be built in that pristine location. At the time, the move was considered bold and it later came to be recognised as a step that set the tone for eco-conscious hospitality in the area. Two years later, in 1996, he opened Le Kandyan Hotel in Hirassagala, Kandy, furthering his commitment to regional tourism development.

Chandra Wickremasinghe

Among his pioneering ventures were ‘Culture Club’, ‘Le Kandyan’, ‘Maalu Maalu and Aliya, followed later by a series of theme-based resorts under the ‘Thema Collection’, including ‘Waraka’ and ‘Amba Yaalu’, among others, all products of his visionary approach to tourism development.

Over the years, Wickramasinghe went on to develop a number of well-known properties across the island, each reflecting his vision of combining Sri Lankan culture with international standards of service. His projects contributed to broadening the appeal of Sri Lanka as a destination, attracting both leisure and cultural travellers and creating opportunities for employment and training within the industry.

Chandra introduced several landmark projects that broke new ground in the industry. In 2011, he created Maalu Maalu in Passikudah, the first hotel to be built on Sri Lanka’s East Coast after the end of the three decade civil war, symbolising both renewal and hope for the region. In 2019, when the tourism industry was reeling from the Easter Sunday attacks, Wickramasinghe was the only hotelier to complete and launch a project in the aftermath, the ‘Tea & Experience Factory’ at Mandaram Nuwara, standing as a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. Even at the height of the Covid pandemic, he defied the odds by completing and opening ‘Wild Glamping Gal Oya’, the only hotel project in Sri Lanka to be launched during that time. Most recently, in 2025, he unveiled ‘Amba Yaalu’ in Kandalama, Sri Lanka’s first and only hotel to be 100 per cent female-led and operated, a pioneering concept believed to be unique in the world. At the main celebration of his Golden Jubilee held at the ‘Bellevue Beach Club’, Port City Colombo, master of ceremonies Kumar de Silva noted that Wickramasinghe’s association with the Alliance Française de Colombo not only shaped his French influence and tourism links, but also introduced him to his lifelong partner.

Chandra at the Celebration party

Industry colleagues, friends, and family gathered at the event to pay tribute to Chandra’s achievements, describing him as a visionary entrepreneur, who was never afraid to take risks. His initiatives, they said, helped set benchmarks in the industry and inspired a generation of professionals in travel and hospitality.

Reflecting on his journey, Chandra said, ‘I have always wanted to create something new that stays close to our culture and reflects its region in an eco-friendly way. Culture Club in Dambulla, Le Kandyan in Kandy, Maalu Maalu in Passikudah, Aliya in Sigiriya, and Waraka in Udawalawe are all reflections of regional culture. I don’t know how much I have succeeded so far, but my mind is set on a lifelong passion for hospitality.

’His portfolio grew under the ‘Theme Resorts and Spas’ brand, now known as the ‘Thema Collection’ established in 2014, bringing together some of Sri Lanka’s most distinctive properties, including ‘Aliya Resort’, Mountbatten Bungalow in Kandy, ‘Kithala’ in Tissamaharama, Scottish Planter Bungalow in Nuwara Eliya, ‘Ayurvie’ Weligama and Sigiriya, ‘Wild Glamping’ Knuckles, ‘Parangi’ Weligama Bay, ‘Vis Ta Vie’ Mirissa, ‘Waraka’. Each project carried his hallmark of blending authentic Sri Lankan culture with innovative hospitality concepts.

Adding to his legacy, Professor Sarath Kotagama observed, ‘He was the first to introduce the role of a naturalist to guide clients on nature tours, allowing people to appreciate nature in its true form. It was a historic milestone, as he pioneered a trend that has now spread like fireworks—today, naturalists can be found in almost every property’.

Waraka

Wild Glamping Gal Oya

Aliya