Latest news with #Liyanage
Campaign ME
14-07-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
JA Resorts & Hotels appoints Shanadi Liyanage as Cluster Director of Marketing
UAE hospitality brand JA Resorts & Hotels has revealed two new appointments with Shanadi Liyanage taking up the role of Cluster Director of Marketing, overseeing JA Ocean View Hotel and The Manor Hotel by JA, while Philip Hardie takes the lead on JA Ocean View Hotel's diverse dining scene as Director of Food & Beverages. Both leaders bring extensive expertise, creativity and fresh perspectives to their roles, aiming to craft moments that truly resonate with guests and carry forward JA Resorts & Hotels' legacy. Now leading the marketing strategy for two of the group's properties, JA Ocean View Hotel and The Manor Hotel by JA, Liyanage brings a creative edge to brand positioning, strategic planning and innovative storytelling within the luxury hospitality space. A passionate lifestyle marketer, she draws inspiration from her personal interests in gastronomy, vibrant mixology, fashion, architecture, music, design and public relations – insights that will prove valuable in continuing to shape JA Ocean View Hotel into a distinctive lifestyle destination in the heart of JBR. Originally from Sri Lanka and having studied Business and Social Entrepreneurship at Antioch University in California, Liyanage has built a career in lifestyle hospitality. Known for her ability to connect effortlessly with people from all walks of life, she has worked with renowned names such as The Dubai EDITION, along with several other five-star lifestyle hospitality concepts. Throughout her career, she's backed numerous impactful campaigns, shaped brand identities, and brought big ideas to life, including collaborations with Netflix's Dubai Bling and Bravo TV's Real Housewives of Dubai. Commenting on the appointments, Tim Quarm, Regional General Manager of JA Resorts & Hotels, commented, 'We are delighted to welcome both Shanadi and Philip to the JA family. Shanadi's creative marketing approach and ability to connect with today's lifestyle-driven traveller, paired with Philip's strong leadership and passion for innovative dining, bring a powerful synergy to JA Ocean View Hotel. Their combined experience will play a crucial role in shaping the guest journey, and we look forward to seeing how they will elevate the experience across both properties and the overall brand.' Since starting his career almost two decades ago, Philip Hardie, Director of Food & Beverages at JA Ocean View Hotel, has developed and led numerous successful dining concepts alongside renowned global hospitality brands, in the UK and the Middle East. Before joining the team, he spent 10 years with Marriott, overseeing F&B operations across several leading properties in Dubai. His previous roles include Mina Seyahi Resort, where he led 16 venues, including the iconic Barasti Beach Bar. Backed by his innovative and guest-focused approach, Hardie aims to elevate each outlet with fresh concepts, operational efficiency and a strong focus on delivering standout moments at every touchpoint.
Sunday World
08-07-2025
- Sunday World
Man snared in cross-border paedophile sting to ask for bail
Sri Lankan national Thinira Liyanage, from Fortwell Court in Letterkenny, was first charged in January An alleged sex offender, snared in a cross-border paedophile hunter sting, is to ask for bail over delays in his case so far. During a brief mention of the case against Thinira Liyanage at Coleraine Magistrates Court, a prosecuting lawyer told the court a phone which belonged to the 37-year-old was sent for forensic examination in March. The full report, the lawyer added, has 'an estimated six month turnaround from that which puts us into September.' Sri Lankan national Liyanage, from Fortwell Court in Letterkenny, is in custody charged with meeting a child following sexual grooming, sexual communication with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification and causing or inciting a child to engage in a sexual activity, alleged to have been committed between 14 December last year and 19 January this year. During a contested application for bail when Liyanage was first charged in January, a detective told the court how the PSNI received a report from an online group called Justice Reborn who 'said that they are with the defendant at Coleraine train station.' 'They further reported that they had been communicating with the defendant, using a decoy and that the defendant had engaged in sexual communication with the decoy, and this person was posing as a 14-year-old female child,' said the cop. Members of Justice Reborn also told police how Liyanage had apparently travelled all the way from his home in Letterkenny 'with the intention of meeting this child' and during follow-up searches of his car which was parked nearby, officers retrieved a bunch of flowers and a necklace in a jewellery box. 'The group handed police information and documentation and screenshots [of messages] between the defendant and the decoy,' said the detective adding that according to the group and the messages, the decoy 'repeatedly states that she is 14, that she is in school and that her mummy treats her like a baby.' 'Despite this the defendant repeatedly asked her to take pictures of herself including topless photos as well as making references to kissing, touching and her previous relationship experience,' the court heard in January. Thinira Liyanage Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 8th Arrested and interviewed, Liyanage told cops he was on multiple dating apps 'looking for a long term relationship' but that 'he suspected that it was a fake profile as he has experience of fakes.' He claimed he had asked the 'child' for a phone call because suspecting it was a fake profile 'he wanted to hear her voice' and that was also why 'he asked her if she was having her periods to try to verify her account.' The court heard how Liyanage maintained there was no sexual intent on his part and when asked why he would arrange to meet the girl if he believed the profile was fake, he further claimed that if it turned out she was an adult 'they might have had a relationship.' That desire for a 'long term relationship' was despite the fact that Liyanage is married and has a wife and child back in Sri Lanka. During further reviews however, a police officer revealed that around 200,000 images have been uncovered during examinations but that police have not yet established whether any are indecent. Thinira Liyanage The court has also heard that computer programmer Liyanage is 'anxious to enter a plea and dispose of the matter.' In court yesterday, defence solicitor Derwin Harvey said he was 'not totally satisfied' with the progress. He highlighted how Liyanage has been in custody since January, still on the original charges, and that recently, similar cases have resulted in either suspended sentences or sentences of ten months. 'I am going to apply for bail in this case,' he told Deputy District Judge Brian Archer and although he conceded Liyanage does not have a proposed address in NI, his family are getting a cash surety together 'if that would relieve the difficulty.' Remanding Liyanage back into custody, Judge Archer adjourned the case to 21 July.
