Manesh Fernando
Appointed Area General Manager
Manesh Fernando General Manager of Colombo’s leading five-star hotel, the Hilton Colombo was appointed Area General Manager - Sri Lanka overlooking the Hilton Colombo, Hilton Colombo Residence and soon to open Double Tree By Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort, Hilton Yala Resort and the five other properties in the pipeline.
Manesh’s twenty three year career in hospitality has included twenty two years with the Hilton worldwide chain, in Sri Lanka, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. He has wide experience in different types of properties, including city hotels, resorts, airport hotels and luxury apartments.
Prior to taking up his current post in 2013, he served as General Manager of the Hilton Colombo Residence for five years. At an early stage in his career, he was selected for the prestigious Hilton Fast Track General Manager Development Programme (Elevator) from around 300 candidates in the Asia Pacific & Middle East Region. In 2001 Manesh was posted to the Hilton Melbourne Airport, Australia to commence his intense hoteliering programme in the field of food & beverage, accounts and sales & marketing followed by a stint at Hilton Singapore covering areas in accommodation management, information technology and human resources. He has since distinguished himself by serving as Director of Operations at four different Hilton properties; Hilton Batang-ai Longhouse Resort, a 100room nature resort and 315-roomed Hilton Kuching and the 700-room Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort, including the Hilton Colombo. He also served as Revenue Manager of the Hilton Hanoi Opera in Vietnam.
Fernando holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Studies with Honours from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom. He had his early schooling at St. Thomas Prep and Mount Lavinia in Sri Lanka where he represented the school in athletics; and also schooled at the Nairobi Academy in Kenya and Victory Primary School in Nigeria.
Manesh’s twenty three year career in hospitality has included twenty two years with the Hilton worldwide chain