Awards & Recognitions
View all(35)Hilton Yala Resort Sweeps 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards 🏆
Tourism & Hospitality Sector Update: Hilton Yala Resort has secured four major accolades at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, reinforcing Sri Lanka's position as a premier destination for luxury wildlife tourism. Key Global and Regional Wins: • Best Eco Safari Lodge – Global • Best Destination Resort – Asia • Best Game Lodge – Asia • Best Holistic Safari Experience – Asia Strategic Impact: • Recognition as the world’s Best Eco Safari Lodge underscores the resort’s commitment to sustainability and ESG initiatives under Hilton’s "Travel with Purpose" strategy. • As Hilton’s only wildlife resort globally, its success highlights the growth of high-end experiential hospitality and niche tourism in Sri Lanka, essential for attracting high-spending travelers. • The awards are based on guest feedback and industry benchmarking, signaling strong performance in service delivery and guest satisfaction within the luxury hospitality segment. Regional Context: Located in the Yala National Park buffer zone, the resort's performance reflects the successful integration of wildlife conservation with modern luxury, contributing to the diversification of the national tourism product. _Source: Based on official 2026 award announcements._
📈 Commercial Bank Named Sri Lanka’s Best Bank for 24th Year
Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been recognized as the ‘Best Bank in Sri Lanka’ by Global Finance (USA) in its 2026 World’s Best Banks awards. This marks the 24th time the bank has secured this title, placing it alongside elite Asia-Pacific institutions like DBS and SBI. • Financial Performance & Stability The bank maintains a strong capital base with a market capitalization exceeding US$ 1 Bn. Key metrics include a Return on Equity (ROE) of over 21% and industry-leading cost-to-income ratios. Growth remains robust across assets, loans, and deposits despite global volatility. • Sector Leadership As the largest private sector lender in the country, the bank is a critical pillar for SME development, accounting for over 30% of total SME lending. It has also expanded support for women entrepreneurs via the ‘ComBank Shakthi’ model. • Innovation & Sustainability Leading the ICT/BPM integration in banking, the bank introduced AI-powered credit underwriting for SMEs. Notably, it remains Sri Lanka's first 100% carbon-neutral bank, balancing digital transformation with environmental goals. • International Footprint Operations in Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, and Dubai continue to drive performance, with the Bangladesh division maintaining exceptionally low non-performing loan (NPL) ratios.
🏆 DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Triumphs at 2026 Haute Grandeur Awards
DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort has secured four major titles at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, signaling a strong performance for Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality sector. • Key Accolades Won: • Best Wedding Resort in Asia • Best Destination Resort in Sri Lanka • Best Destination Wedding Retreat in Sri Lanka • Best Family Resort in Sri Lanka • Sector Significance: These wins highlight the growing international competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s destination wedding and luxury leisure segments. The awards are based on guest feedback and service benchmarks, reflecting high operational standards in the southern region. • Economic Context: Recognition at this level supports the diversification of the tourism product beyond traditional beach stays, emphasizing specialized niches like MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and family-oriented travel, which are vital for increasing foreign exchange inflows. _Note: Results based on 2026 Global Excellence Awards reporting._ 📈
Sri Lankan Luxury Wedding Sector Gains Global Recognition as Hemant Dadlani Joins 2025–2026 DWP Powerlist 📈
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has lauded Hemant Dadlani, founder of ‘Hemant Dadlani Weddings & Events’, for his second consecutive inclusion in the prestigious DWP Insider Powerlist. This recognition cements Sri Lanka's growing influence in the high-net-worth destination wedding and luxury tourism markets. • Key Achievement: Dadlani remains the only Sri Lankan professional selected for this exclusive, non-commercial roster of the world’s most influential wedding planners and designers. • Industry Impact: The recognition serves as a global "seal of approval," positioning Sri Lanka as a top-tier hub for high-value tourism and elite international celebrations. • Expertise & Reach: With 25+ years of experience and over 500 high-profile events globally, Dadlani’s inclusion fosters strategic partnerships between Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector and global luxury tourism boards. • Economic Context: This milestone supports national efforts to diversify the tourism product, moving beyond mass-market travel toward niche, high-spend segments that boost foreign exchange earnings and enhance the nation's brand image.
BOC Flex Secures Triple Win at Digital CX Awards 2026 📈
Bank of Ceylon (BOC) has achieved a significant international milestone, becoming the only Sri Lankan bank recognized at the Digital CX Awards 2026 in Singapore. This achievement highlights the country's growing competitiveness in digital banking and financial technology. • Key Awards Won: Best Customer Experience via Mobile and Internet Banking – Sri Lanka. Best Digital Bank for Customer Experience – Sri Lanka. Outstanding Digital CX in Banking App/Platform – Sri Lanka. • Platform Performance: BOC Flex now serves over 1.6 million active users. Facilitated over Rs. 1 Trillion in transaction volume within a 12-month period. Currently ranked as the #1 banking app across the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery in Sri Lanka. • Economic Impact: The platform is a primary driver for Sri Lanka’s cashless economy roadmap. Focuses on enhancing financial inclusion and supporting the SME sector through accessible digital infrastructure. The "all-in-one" app strategy extends services beyond traditional BOC customers to the broader Sri Lankan population.
🏆 NCINGA wins 2026 Google Cloud Partner of the Year Award
Sri Lankan technology leader NCINGA has been recognized globally at the Google Cloud Next ‘26 conference in Las Vegas, securing the Social Impact: Community Empowerment and Resilience award. • Award Significance: This global accolade recognizes a single partner for a sustained commitment to social impact through technology. NCINGA is highlighted for its strategic innovation in driving customer and community success. • Economic Impact & Funding: Under its "Foundation of Humanity" initiative, the company invests 10% of net profits into social development. This supports national resilience by funding education, leadership, and healthcare initiatives. • Sector Focus: • ICT/BPM: Leveraging Google Cloud and AI to upskill rural IT educators and expand digital inclusion in underserved areas. • Energy: Utilizing technology to improve energy supply reliability, reduce fuel wastage, and facilitate the renewable energy transition. • Healthcare & Gender: Providing critical funding for public health and entrepreneurial workshops for women in the rural sector. • Vision: The firm aims to integrate AI and machine learning to solve human-centric problems, focusing on digital equity and economic resilience during national recovery.
📈 HelaPay Hits LKR 5 Billion Milestone in Digital Transactions
Sri Lanka’s FinTech sector sees a significant boost as HelaPay, integrated within the Helakuru SuperApp, surpasses the LKR 5 Billion total transaction value threshold. • Growth Momentum: After taking nearly two years to reach the first LKR 1 Billion, the platform achieved a fivefold increase (LKR 5 Billion) in a significantly shorter subsequent period, signaling rapid adoption of digital payments. • Market Position: The service is backed by a user base of over 5 million Helakuru users, leveraging localized features such as a full Sinhala language interface to drive financial inclusion. • Key Drivers: Growth is attributed to secure LANKAQR compatibility and the integration of Government Payments, specifically allowing citizens to settle police fines and other state dues digitally. • Industry Recognition: HelaPay secured the Gold Award for “Best Digital Government Payments Enabler” at the LankaPay Technovation Awards 2026, following its 2025 wins for “Most Popular Digital Payment Product.” • Strategic Impact: This milestone reflects a shift in the ICT/BPM and digital finance landscape, emphasizing the role of biometric security (Face ID/Fingerprint) and localized UX in scaling retail payment solutions nationwide.
ComBank Honored for Circular Economy Leadership by Global Finance 🌍
• Commercial Bank of Ceylon has been named the Asia Pacific regional winner of the Circular Economy Commitment award at the 2026 Sustainable Finance Awards in London. • The award recognizes leadership in financing initiatives that promote resource reuse and regeneration, supporting production models that are climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable. • The Bank’s Green Financing Strategy aligns with the CBSL Green Finance Taxonomy and UN SDGs, focusing on sectors including: - Climate-smart agriculture & Renewable energy - Waste management & Sustainable transport - Energy efficiency & Green buildings • Key Sustainability Metrics & Governance: - Utilization of the IFC’s Climate Assessment for Financial Institutions (CAFI) tool to quantify greenhouse gas emission reductions. - Development of a Climate Transition Plan with IFC support to reach national Net Zero targets by 2050. - Mandatory screening of all credit proposals against environmental and social risk considerations. • This regional win places the bank alongside global peers like Scotiabank, reinforcing its position in integrating ESG principles as a core strategic priority within the banking and finance sector. 📈
📈 Hilton Yala Featured as Global Birdwatching Destination by Condé Nast
• Tourism & Hospitality: Condé Nast Traveller Middle East has recognized Hilton Yala Resort as a premier global location for birdwatching in 2026, positioning Sri Lanka as a top-tier destination for high-end wildlife tourism. • Biodiversity & Economic Impact: Situated in the Yala National Park buffer zone, the resort leverages the region's 200+ bird species (endemic and migratory) to attract international travelers, supporting the diversification of the leisure and travel sector beyond traditional beach tourism. • Sector Highlights: • Nature-based Tourism: Recognition of FGASA-certified ranger-led experiences enhances the value proposition of Sri Lanka’s hospitality offerings. • Sustainability: The resort focuses on ESG-led initiatives and responsible safari practices, crucial for long-term employment and conservation in the Southern province. • Seasonal Trends: Data indicates a shift toward the May–September dry season for high-visibility birdwatching (e.g., painted storks, raptors), providing opportunities for year-round arrivals. • Strategic Context: As Hilton’s only wildlife resort globally, this feature reinforces Sri Lanka’s reputation as a biodiversity hotspot, essential for driving foreign exchange earnings through niche, high-value eco-tourism.
N-able Named Cisco Partner of the Year – Sri Lanka at 2026 Regional Confluence 📈
Sri Lankan systems integrator N-able has secured the 'Cisco Partner of the Year – Sri Lanka' award at the Cisco India and South Asia Partner Confluence 2026, marking a significant milestone for the local ICT/BPM sector. • Core Performance: Despite global market volatility, the company achieved substantial year-on-year (YoY) growth by aligning with Cisco's strategic regional direction. • Key Sector Focus: Success was driven by Data Center and Hybrid Infrastructure transformation, delivering integrated solutions across networking, cloud, and security. • Regional Impact: N-able represented Sri Lanka on the South Asia stage, distinguishing itself as an impactful partner for complex, future-ready technology deployments. • Future Outlook: The firm plans to deepen capabilities in AI infrastructure and security platforms to support digital diversification and maintain a competitive edge in the local technology ecosystem.
🏆 Hilton Yala Resort Secures Haute Grandeur Global Certification 2026
• Hospitality Sector Milestone: Hilton Yala Resort has been officially certified by the Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards 2026, solidifying its status as a premier luxury destination within Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. • Global Standing: The property is notably Hilton’s only wildlife resort globally, blending contemporary luxury with immersive safari experiences at the edge of Yala National Park. • Operational Excellence: The certification recognizes the resort's high service standards and guest experience quality, contributing to the country's reputation for high-end niche tourism and destination-led storytelling. • Economic Impact: Such international recognitions enhance Sri Lanka’s brand equity in the global travel & leisure market, supporting the national push for high-value tourism arrivals and foreign exchange earnings. 📈
33rd Gratiaen Prize Longlist Announced Amid Record Entries 📈
The Gratiaen Trust, in partnership with John Keells Foundation and the British Council, has officially released the longlist for the 33rd annual Gratiaen Prize. This year’s cycle saw a record number of applications, underscoring the growth of the creative industries and English literary talent in Sri Lanka. • Key Highlights: 12 works selected for the longlist from a diverse pool of contemporary voices. Submissions include a mix of poetry, short stories, and novels. Shortlist announcement scheduled for 4 May 2026. Final winner to be revealed on 6 June 2026. • Economic & Social Context: Supported by John Keells Group via its CSR wing, focusing on social cohesion and the creative arts sector. The prize provides a platform for ICT/BPM and professional service workers who often contribute to the English-writing demographic, enhancing Sri Lanka's cultural export potential. • The 2026 Longlist: '@#$%!Daham' – Aneesha Ansar 'Chameleon Silva' – Keith Jayasekera 'Dear Father: The Refugee' – Alan de Costa 'Divergent Among my Neurons' – Gaveen Prabhasara 'Gallivanting' – Ciara Mandulee Mendis 'God, Bangles and a Constitution' – Anuththara Ekeli 'In the Curve of the Smile' – Uvini Atukorala 'Reading Palms' – Oshanthaka Cabraal 'The Department of Chosen Ones' – Thisuri Wanniarachchi 'The Son and the Lover' – Visakesa Chandrasekaram 'Time is a Paper Crane' – Eshana Ranasinghe 'To Hear You Breathe' – Sajla Anees • Judging Panel: Chaired by V.V. Ganeshananthan (Women’s Prize for Fiction winner), alongside Dr. Dinidu Karunanayake and Azara Jaleel.