And it was none other than Sri Lankan born Prathima Jayasuriya, a Diploma holder in Home Economics which she followed for two years in Allahabad, India which perhaps was what triggered her career to date. In 1979, Prathima followed a course conducted by International Executive Service Corps in USA in Responsibility and Effective Control in Food & Beverage, Front Office and Housekeeping Departments, after which, she followed a training course in 1983 in Hospitality Management Practices at Ceylon Intercontinental, Colombo conducted by the Divisional Director of Training.
Prathima had her beginnings at hotels in Colombo in the ’70s and overseas stints in Abu Dhabi at the Sheraton, followed by the Inter Continental as the Assistant Housekeeper. She was transferred to Colombo as the Executive Housekeeper and was in full control of the Housekeeping Department at the then Hotel Ceylon Inter Continental. Working under the different foreign general managers, she gained immense work experiences and attended numerous workshops which were held in the region. She remained in this position for 14 years until she was once again transferred to the Bahrain Inter Continental. Her main strengths were in leadership and direction to others and her wealth of knowledge which was why it was always she who was called in for various openings of new hotels in and around the region.
Once again, she was transferred to the Inter Continental Abu Dhabi where she was involved in a major renovation of the hotel and after a further 10 years with the Group decided to join the Leela Kempinski Hotel in Mumbai where she has been working for the past two years. She is the first expatriate Executive Housekeeper and the only Sri Lankan to work at this hotel since its opening 24 years ago. Her experience is sought-after going from her past records of being hired to assist in hotel openings and re-openings from Sydney to Bali, Korea and Singapore.
She was also one of the judges for the Host India Star Vendor Awards organised by H & FS Hospitality and the icing on the cake was when she was awarded The Most Admired Executive Housekeeper of the Year Award at a ceremony which was held at the Golden Awards Ceremony on February 10 at the Taj Lands End Hotel. Prathima has done her motherland proud and has certainly more hats to wear in the days ahead!
Prathima Jayasuriya has a total of over 35 years experience in the hotel industry, of which 28 years have been with the Inter Continental Group in Colombo and other countries. She has a vast knowledge in her field of work as an Executive Housekeeper and has been working overseas for over 14 years.
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