About Us

Here’s our story

Ayubowan Vanakkam, Mamakachchak Hondamai and welcome to Thema Collection!

Through our collection of hotels, we strive to create authentic experiences through our unique locations, locally inspired design, and warm Sri Lankan hospitality in some of the best hideouts in Sri Lanka.

Introducing the different aspects of local culture

Since the inception of Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa - Pasikuda (2011) and Aliya Resort & Spa - Sigiriya (2013), our mission has been to provide guests with an authentic and sustainable experience that showcases the best of our property's location—its biodiversity, cultural heritage, and delicious cuisine. Each property is conceptualized based on these principles to offer an immersive journey into Sri Lanka. Sustainability is one of our core values, and each property has its own tailored policies and projects to best suit our environment.

Chandra Wickramasinghe
Founder & Chairman - Thema Collection

Ayubowan and welcome to Thema Collection. Our journey is centred around our love to conceptualise properties and experiences that show the best of Sri Lanka's culture, history and wonderful biodiversity. Each of our properties has its own story and we hope you discover the best of Sri Lanka through Thema Collection.

Who We Are

We are dedicated to creating thematic properties in Sri Lanka. Our local culture is our passion and portraying its beauty to visitors is what brings pride to our hearts. While providing stays and experiences like no other we also believe that sustainable and eco-friendly practices are key to making the planet a better place to live in.

Our Philosophy

Our philosophy is centered around our country’s amazing biodiversity and culture, not to mention, the wonders of nature that are tucked away in the very core of the island which serves as an inspiration of our thematic resorts. While allowing our guests to experience the authenticity of Sri Lanka, we are also focused on preserving the environment and uplifting our communities.

Board of Directors

Mr. Chandra Wickramasinghe Founder, Chairman & Managing Director

With the growing demand for authentic Sri Lankan experiences when it comes to hotel stays on the island, Mr. Chandra Wickramamsinghe came up with the perfect concept for travellers – Thema Collection. As the founder of this family-owned chain of hotels, he played a vital role in the design and concepts of each of the properties in popular tourist hotspots in Sri Lanka.

Mr. Chandra has incorporated something unique and purely Sri Lankan in each property which is enjoyed by foreign and local guests alike. He believes that the exclusivity of Thema Collection hotels is what brings challenges to the group but is also rewarding in terms of guest satisfaction. The chairman’s personal favourite is Maalu Maalu Passikudah.

Chamin Wickramasinghe Director / Chief Executive Officer

The CEO of Thema Collection is an individual who has worked his way up the ladder starting from 1991. He has worked for many well-known hotel chains in Sri Lanka and achieved great heights on the academic side of the hotel industry as well. Chamin Wickramasinghe is a member of the Charted Management Institute (UK), the Institute of Hospitality (UK) and the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association.

He enjoys the daily challenges of running a hotel chain like Thema Collection with a range of unique properties under the brand. What Chamin like most about the properties is that they showcase socio-cultural aspects of Sri Lanka and each of the hotels operates differently.

Maxime Wickramasinghe Director – Marketing & Business Development

The son of Mr. Chandra Wickramasinghe, the founder and chairman of Thema Collection, Maxime Wickramasinghe is inspired by his father to create unique hotel experiences where guests can immerse themselves in the cultural heritage and vibrant biodiversity of Sri Lanka. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Thema Collection since 2018.

Maxime holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance, awarded by The University of Manchester. As a passionate traveller and nature lover, Maxime loves to learn about Sri Lanka and continues to create guest experiences off the beaten track. What he loves about properties in Thema Collection is the uniqueness of each property and the stories they tell.

Managers

Mr. Mohamed Sharafath Manager – Sales & Marketing

With an experience of 19 years in the hotel industry and holding a Master’s in Business Administration, Mohamed Sharafath contributes to Thema Collection as the Sales Manager. What he enjoys the most in his job are meeting different people, travelling, and sharing the knowledge he has gained over the years with others joining the industry.

The aspects of Thema Collection that inspire Mohamed the most are the diversity in its concepts and the beautiful experiences offered by each hotel on different parts of the island.

Sameera Kahandugoda Manager – E-Commerce at Thema Collection

Sameera believes that to succeed as a hotelier, you need to have a driving passion for the field. She finds it interesting that the hotel industry provides ample opportunity for lifetime learning and is full of challenges, this is what led her to pursue her career as a hotelier.

Being an ACIM (UK) Finalist with 6 years of experience, Sameera feels that working in the hotel industry is also very rewarding for as long as one is hard working, achieving a managerial position is certainly possible. What she likes most about Thema Collection is the focus on sustainable tourism.

Sheran Fonseka Manager – Operations

As a professional with over 8 years in the hospitality industry and over 10 years in the finance industry, Sheran Fonseka’s passion for hospitality emerged when he had the opportunity to work for a boutique hotel chain. He has a BA (Hons) in Business Administration.

What Sheran likes the most about Thema Collection is the unique aspects of properties; the open spaces at Aliya Resort, The calm waters and relaxing breeze at Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa, and the serene surroundings at other properties.

Ashan Karunananda Senior Manager – Sustainability & Product Development

Ashan Karunananda’s drive to pursue a career in sustainability stems from a deep-seated concern for the environment and the impact of human activities on the natural world. Ashan is particularly passionate about taking action to protect the planet, and believe that through research, awareness creation, and capacity-building, can make meaningful progress towards a more sustainable future.

Property Managers

Wohara Dissanayake Manager – Maalu Maalu Resort & Spa

Wohara Dissanayake has 28 years of experience in the field working for both local and overseas properties. He is a holder of Diploma in Travel & Tourism Economics and Hotel (DTTEHM) from the University of Colombo and a Diploma in the Room Division & Food and Beverage Service. Wohara works hard motivating his staff to provide quality service to guests to ensure that anyone staying at Maalu Maalu Resort is always satisfied.

Ananda Wickramasinghe Manager – Kithala Resort

Ananda Wickramasinghe is a diploma holder in the Rooms Division from SLITHM. He is passionate about this industry as he sees endless learning opportunities through his challenges every day. Ananda is always intrigued by the lush greenery and exotic bird life that surrounds Kithala Resort.

Dharmappriya Karunanayake Manager – Mountbatten Bungalow Kandy

With a total of 28 years in the field Dharmappriya Karunanayake started out in the tourism sector as he saw wonderful opportunities to travel the world and work with various people. He enjoys working with the staff at Mountbatten Bungalow Kandy and is absolutely in love with the sight of the tea plantation that surrounds the property.

Salinda Gunasena Manager – Scottish Planter Glendevon Bungalow

Salinda Gunasena picked the hotel industry as he was inspired by the opportunities to work with people from different parts of the globe. That’s exactly what working at Scottish Planter Glendevon Bungalow is all about to Salinda. He loves the view of the lush garden and the comfortable climate where the property is situated.

Suraweera Arachchige Asela Manager – Wild Glamping Knuckles

Working at Wild Glamping Knuckles to ensure that visitors are happy with what they offer is the main motivator for Suraweera Arachchige Asela. He enjoys everything about the property and its surroundings and hopes guests will too.

Madhawa Kalawana Manager – Wild Glamping Gal Oya

Taking inspiration from his elder brother who is also a hotelier, Madhawa Kalawana decided to start his career in the industry as well. Being a graduate of SLITHM, he now manages Wild Glamping Gal Oya with a team he enjoys working with. Madhawa also likes the eco-friendly aspect of this property and meeting different people from different parts of the world.

Buddhika Kohona Manager – Tea & Experience Factory

Entering the industry just after his Advanced Level, Buddhika Kohona continued to pursue his future in the tourism industry. He is greatly inspired by his team at Tea & Experience Factory and enjoys working with them. The Leaf to Cup experience at the hotel is what he finds most amazing about the hotel.

Chandima Kanakaratna Manager – Ayurvie Weligama / Parangi Weligama Bay

Chandima Kanakaratna has over 29 years of experience in a multitude of areas in hotel operations and gained foreign exposure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Maldives. He earned his Master's in Tourism Economics & Hotel Management and Master's in Labour Relations & Human Resources Management from the University of Colombo. What he admires about his job are the stunning views, the unique location of the properties, and the people.