Kasun Abeynayaka

HOD - Tourism and Hospitality Management

Master's in International Relations (London Metropolitan), Master's in Tourism Economics and Hotel Management (University of Colombo), Master of Public Management (SLIDA)

Mr. Kasun Abeynayaka is a distinguished tourism, education, and public management professional with nearly 24 years of global experience across the hospitality industry, higher education, and international organizations. As the Head of the School of Hospitality & Tourism at APIIT Sri Lanka, he leads the strategic development of the institute’s premier hospitality programs, ensuring that the “Swiss Touch” of excellence is integrated into every facet of the curriculum.

In addition to his leadership at APIIT, Mr. Abeynayaka serves as an Independent Researcher at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in Geneva. His previous senior roles include serving as the Founding Director of the Cinnamon Hospitality Academy at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, established in partnership with the Swiss Hotel Management Academy (SHMA), the licensed operator for EHL (École hôtelière de Lausanne).

His career portfolio spans key leadership positions across Sri Lanka’s most respected hospitality businesses, leading universities, and premier hospitality institutions. This reflects his versatility and depth of expertise across multiple sectors, including strategic business units, academia, and the corporate hospitality sector.

Mr. Abeynayaka holds a master’s in international relations from London Metropolitan University, a Master’s in Tourism Economics and Hotel Management from the University of Colombo, and a Master of Public Management from the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in International Relations to further his contributions to the field.

His extensive professional qualifications span hospitality management, professional diplomacy, and international marketing. At APIIT, his vision is to bridge the gap between Sri Lankan ambition and Swiss excellence, cultivating a new generation of industry-ready managers prepared to lead in the world’s most prestigious hospitality environments.

Mr. Abeynayaka served as a visiting lecturer at Department of Economics, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo. In this capacity, he:

• ⁠Delivered lectures and tutorials
• Contributed to curriculum design and development
• Undertook academic administrative responsibilities
• Engaged with education policy and academic governance initiatives.

His academic leadership is further evidenced by his role as Joint Coordinator for numerous education-focused publications and knowledge resources, including:

• ⁠Success Story of the International Tourism Leaders’ Summit and Tourism Research Conference (2015–2021)
• United Nations World Tourism Day Celebration: Policy Brief – Sri Lanka (2017)
• ⁠International Tourism Leaders’ Summit and Tourism Research Conference: Outcome Report (2015–2021)
• Enlightening and Integrating Sustainable Tourism through Industry-Interactive Research (2017)
• Annual Tourism Research Conference Publication (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
• Media for Sustainable Tourism for Development (2017)
• ⁠Challenges of the Hospitality Industry and Integrating Management Participation for Hospitality Development in Sri Lanka (2014)
• Integrating Management Participation for MICE Tourism and Hospitality Development in Sri Lanka (2015)

Additionally, Mr. Abeynayaka has independently authored several academic papers and conference contributions, demonstrating a strong focus on research-driven policy and sector development. These include:

• ⁠”Reliable and Accurate Data for Better Sri Lanka Tourism: Decision Making, and Service Delivery,” International Tourism Research Conference, University of Colombo (2015)
• ⁠”Tourism Promotions through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Post-War Era with Special Reference to China,” International Tourism Research Conference, University of Colombo (2016)
• ⁠”Impact of Integrated Sustainable Solutions in Public Policy to Promote Sri Lanka Tourism in European Union Countries,” International Tourism Research Conference, University of Colombo (2017)
• ”International Tourism Research,” Conference, University of Colombo (2018)
• ⁠”From Abstract to Implementation: Integrated Tourism Policy for Sustainable Development,” International Tourism Research Conference, University of Colombo (2019)