Amaan Kamaldeen Takes the Helm at Mama Roma, Bringing International Hospitality Experience to Sri Lanka

From luxury hotels and major entertainment productions in Dubai to leading the next chapter of Mama Roma in Mount Lavinia, Amaan Kamaldeen brings nearly two decades of cross-sector experience to the growing restaurant brand.

With nearly two decades of professional experience spanning international hospitality, live entertainment, real estate and banking, Amaan Kamaldeen has taken on the role of General Manager of Mama Roma Italian Restaurant, as the brand prepares to expand its presence with a new destination in Mount Lavinia.

His appointment comes at a significant stage in Mama Roma’s development, with the new venue designed to combine Italian dining with café culture, sports entertainment, private dining and rooftop experiences. For Kamaldeen, the role brings together diverse elements of a career shaped by international exposure, commercial experience and a longstanding involvement in hospitality and events.

A Career Built on International Exposure

Kamaldeen spent almost 12 years in the United Arab Emirates, where he gained experience across hospitality, entertainment and real estate. His professional journey included working with internationally recognised hospitality brands such as Address Hotels + Resorts, exposing him to the service expectations and operational standards associated with luxury hospitality.

Dubai also provided opportunities to work on major entertainment productions and concerts featuring international artists, including the Backstreet Boys and UB40. These large-scale events demanded careful coordination across venue operations, logistics, guest management and hospitality services.

Such experiences helped develop an understanding of how multiple operational elements must work together to deliver a seamless guest experience. The ability to manage complex arrangements while maintaining service standards would later become an important part of his work in Sri Lanka.

Bringing International Experience Back to Sri Lanka

Following his time in the UAE, Kamaldeen returned to Sri Lanka and joined Cinnamon City Hotels as an Events Specialist, working across Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo and Cinnamon Red Colombo over a three-year period.

His responsibilities covered the conceptualisation, development and execution of corporate functions, social gatherings, musical performances and themed promotional events. Working across three distinct hotel environments provided opportunities to create experiences for different audiences while coordinating with operational teams and external partners.

One of his notable initiatives was the Cinnamon Golf Monthly Medal at the Royal Colombo Golf Club, launched in 2025. Kamaldeen played a central role in developing the recurring event, bringing hospitality, networking and entertainment into a sporting environment beyond the traditional hotel setting.

His tenure also involved major entertainment events featuring artists such as Alpha Blondy, Kumar Sanu and Yuvan Shankar Raja. These productions further strengthened his experience in artist coordination, event logistics, hospitality operations and audience engagement.

The combination of international event exposure and experience within Sri Lanka’s leading city hotels gave Kamaldeen a broader perspective on delivering events that balance operational precision with memorable guest experiences.

A Broader Commercial Perspective

Hospitality and entertainment are only part of Kamaldeen’s professional background. His experience in the UAE real-estate sector provided exposure to property transactions, sales and client relationships, while his subsequent role as a Mortgage Advisor at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi added a financial services dimension to his career.

Working in banking offered insights into financial products, credit, property financing and customer service. Together with his real-estate experience, it strengthened his understanding of commercial decision-making and the importance of balancing customer expectations with business objectives.

This cross-sector background is particularly relevant to restaurant management, where operational efficiency, cost control, service quality and customer loyalty must work in tandem.

Beyond Italian Dining

At Mama Roma, Kamaldeen’s responsibilities extend beyond the day-to-day management of a restaurant. The Mount Lavinia concept is being developed as a multifaceted hospitality destination, bringing together Italian cuisine, café culture, a sports bar, private dining facilities and a rooftop lounge.

The format creates opportunities to serve a diverse clientele, from families and casual diners to corporate groups, tourists and guests seeking entertainment alongside dining.

His background in large-scale events is expected to be particularly relevant to the venue’s plans for private functions, corporate gatherings, celebrations and entertainment evenings. Experience gained through international productions can also inform the planning, timing and coordination required to deliver events without compromising the dining experience.

The challenge lies in ensuring that each element of the venue contributes to a consistent identity while catering to different occasions and customer preferences.

Building a Culture Around People

For any hospitality business, the quality of the concept is only part of the equation. The team delivering it ultimately shapes how guests experience the brand.

At Mama Roma, staff training, teamwork, discipline and service consistency will be central to establishing the standards expected of the new operation. From chefs and service staff to bartenders, hosts and supervisors, each role contributes to the overall impression a guest takes away.

Kamaldeen’s experience across different hospitality environments provides a foundation for bringing together operational procedures and a service culture centred on making guests feel welcome and valued.

As the restaurant develops, building a capable team and maintaining consistent standards across its dining and entertainment spaces will be essential to creating repeat business and long-term customer relationships.

A New Chapter for Mama Roma

Mama Roma’s Mount Lavinia operation is scheduled to open on 8 October 2026, marking an important milestone in the brand’s development.

As General Manager, Kamaldeen will oversee the translation of the venue’s concept into an operational reality, from team development and service standards to the coordination of its food, beverage and entertainment offerings.

His appointment reflects the growing importance of integrated hospitality experiences, where dining is increasingly complemented by social spaces, entertainment and private events. For Mama Roma, the opportunity is to establish a distinctive destination that combines Italian-inspired hospitality with the expectations of Sri Lanka’s evolving dining market.

From Dubai’s international hospitality environment to Sri Lanka’s leading city hotels and major entertainment events, Kamaldeen’s career has brought together experiences across several industries. At Mama Roma, these strands converge in a new leadership role, with the task of building a hospitality destination recognised not only for its food, but also for the quality of its service and the experiences it creates.