- 27 June 2025
Leading with Vision – Resplendent Ceylon Appoints Dilshan Gnanapragasam as Chief Commercial Officer
Resplendent Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s leading luxury hospitality brand and the leisure arm of Dilmah, is pleased to announce the promotion of Dilshan Gnanapragasam to the position of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). This well-earned advancement follows over nine years of dedicated service to the company, during which Dilshan most recently held the role of Senior Vice President – Commercial.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Dilshan will lead Resplendent Ceylon’s commercial strategy across its portfolio of luxury resorts, which includes the Relais & Chateaux collection of Ceylon Tea Trails, Wild Coast Tented Lodge, and Cape Weligama. The portfolio also includes Kayaam House and Ahu Bay under Reverie, as well as new properties currently under development. His responsibilities span revenue growth and profitability, strategic financial management, pricing, revenue optimisation, business development, market intelligence, and all commercial functions, including sales, marketing, distribution, and digital strategy.
“Dilshan has played a pivotal role in shaping Resplendent Ceylon’s commercial success over the past nine years,” said Malik J. Fernando, Founder and Chair of Resplendent Ceylon. “His leadership, market insight, and ability to connect strategy with execution make him an invaluable part of our journey as we continue to evolve, expand, and inspire. His appointment heralds our new era of hospitality leadership with a focus on strategic growth, innovation, and guest experience excellence.”
With a career spanning more than 25 years in the travel and tourism industry, Dilshan brings a wealth of expertise and hands-on experience to his new role. Prior to joining Resplendent Ceylon in 2016, he held senior leadership positions at Amaya Resorts and Cinnamon Hotels. He also holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Bedfordshire, UK—blending strategic insight with sound financial acumen.
“I’m incredibly proud to lead Resplendent Ceylon through its next phase of growth,” said Dilshan Gnanapragasam. “With new properties on the horizon, a strong focus on innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in guest experiences, I look forward to working alongside our dedicated team to elevate our brand to even greater heights.”
In addition to his corporate role, Dilshan serves as President of the Travel Trade Sports Club (TTSC), where he champions inclusivity and collaboration across the industry.

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