Awards & Recognitions
View all(31)📱 Dialog Named Sri Lanka's Most Loved Service & Telecom Brand
• Brand Performance: Dialog Axiata PLC has been recognized as Sri Lanka’s "Most Loved Brand" in both the Service and Telecommunications sectors for the 3rd consecutive year, according to the LMD Brands Annual survey. • Survey Insights: The independent survey was conducted by PepperCube Consultants based on 400 nationwide reader responses evaluating trust, loyalty, and brand affinity. Dialog also ranked among the top Corporate Brands overall. • Socioeconomic Impact: Beyond telecommunications, the brand's digital ecosystem highlights include: • Govi Mithuru: An AI-driven agricultural advisory service supporting over 1,000,000 farmers. • Shishyadhara: A social initiative enabling subsidy distributions to over 450,000 underprivileged students. • Sustainability: Advancing its Net Zero 2050 target through renewable energy and solar-powered network infrastructure. • Other Accolades: Further cementing its local market position, Dialog was secured as the 'Service Brand of the Year' for the 5th time and 'Telecommunication Brand of the Year' for the 15th consecutive year at the SLIM-KANTAR People’s Awards 2026.
🏆 New Anthoney’s Feeds Wins Big at NCQP 2026
Sri Lankan agri-food producer New Anthoney’s Feeds secured four Gold Awards and one Silver Award at the National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP) 2026, succeeding in all five entered improvement projects. This marks an improvement from their double-Gold performance in 2025. • Performance & Recognition: The company competed in the largest-ever NCQP event, which evaluated 450 teams from over 100 organizations. Their 2025 wins previously qualified them for the International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC) in Taiwan. • Sector & Operations: New Anthoney’s Feeds is the feed manufacturing arm of New Anthoney’s Group, a leading integrated poultry & agriculture producer. The company remains the only poultry producer in Sri Lanka to raise chickens 100% antibiotic-free. • Supply Chain & Standards: Founded in 1986, the group now controls its entire supply chain (feed, hatchery, farm, processing, and retail). • Certifications & Global Backing: Holds FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, and GMP standards, and is the only local poultry firm with a GHG Verification Statement (ISO 14064-1:2018). The group was also named Best Exporter in the Processed Food Category at the 26th Presidential Export Awards and is backed by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC).
🔔 Kelaniya University's Finance Department Celebrates 15th Anniversary at CSE
The Department of Finance at the University of Kelaniya commemorated its 15th anniversary by ringing the Market Opening Bell on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) trading floor, marking its contribution to developing Sri Lanka's financial sector talent. Key Milestones & Contributions: • Academic Growth: Established in 2011, the department now offers specialized honors degrees in Banking, Insurance, and Financial Engineering to cater to evolving corporate needs. • Global Recognition: The Bachelor's and Master's programs in Finance have secured prestigious CFA Institute affiliations, enhancing the global employability of graduates. • National Initiatives: Key achievements include setting up a Financial Literacy Centre (2022) and establishing a strategic partnership with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (2025) to boost national financial literacy. • Industry Collaboration: Collaborating with top firms like KPMG Sri Lanka and First Capital Asset Management to deliver professional programs in investment analysis and fund management. The partnership between academic institutions and the CSE remains vital in nurturing ethical, knowledgeable professionals to support Sri Lanka's capital market ecosystem.
Browns Secures Sri Lanka’s First SLSI Overseas Manufacturing Authorisation for Motorcycle Battery Imports 📈
• Automotive Sector Milestone: Browns has become the first entity in Sri Lanka to receive the Overseas Manufacturing Authorisation from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) for importing motorcycle batteries under the Yoshido brand. • Quality Assurance: The authorisation was granted following a comprehensive audit of the overseas manufacturing facility by SLSI, confirming compliance with local performance and environmental standards. • Market Position: Yoshido offers Sri Lanka's largest motorcycle battery range with 13 distinct battery types, ensuring compatibility with virtually every motorcycle model on local roads. • Corporate Context: Established in 1875, Browns is a prominent diversified conglomerate in Sri Lanka with operations spanning automotive, agriculture & plantations, power generation, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.
🏆 CEAT Kelani Wins ‘Best Tyre Manufacturer’ at Inaugural Automobile Industry Awards
• Top Recognition: CEAT Kelani Holdings was named the Best Tyre Manufacturer in the ‘Component Manufacturer’ category at Sri Lanka's first-ever Automobile Industry Awards, organized by the Automobile Industry Council (AIC). • Market Dominance: The company commands a dominant position in the Original Equipment (OE) segment, supplying tyres for more than 90% of all vehicles assembled in Sri Lanka. It supplies over 150,000 OE tyres annually across 30+ locally assembled models spanning 11 global brands. • Global Standards: CEAT Kelani is the first tyre manufacturer in Sri Lanka to achieve the IATF 16949:2016 certification, a globally recognized automotive quality standard required by international automotive OEMs. • Economic Impact: Beyond the manufacturing sector, the company actively aids the national economy via import substitution, conserving valuable foreign exchange. Additionally, it sources 100% of its natural rubber requirements domestically, supporting more than 10,000 local rubber cultivator families.
🏆 Sampath Bank Clinches Three Top Titles at World Finance Banking Awards 2026
Sri Lanka's Sampath Bank PLC has secured major international recognition at the UK-based World Finance Banking Awards 2026, underlining its market resilience and leadership in the banking & financial services sector. Key Achievements: • Sustained Excellence: Named Sri Lanka’s 'Best Retail Bank' and 'Best Commercial Bank' for the 12th consecutive year, highlighting long-term consistency in driving customer value and supporting local business growth. • Governance Milestone: Awarded 'Best Corporate Governance – Sri Lanka 2026', reflecting the bank's integration of robust Board oversight, ethical leadership, and proactive risk management frameworks. National Context & Impact: • Digital & Economic Growth: The accolades recognize over a decade of continuous performance, digital capability expansion, and customer-focused financial solutions contributing directly to national economic development. • Institutional Strength: The awards build on past major honors, including being named Asia’s Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility (2024) and Sri Lanka’s Best Bank for ESG (2025) by Euromoney, solidifying its position as a key employment and financial anchor in Sri Lanka.
🏆 Sri Lankan Entrepreneur Marlon Ferreira Named Finalist in Prestigious UK Awards
• Overview: Sri Lankan-born entrepreneur Denham Marlon Ferreira has been shortlisted for the 2026 Great British Entrepreneur Awards (Allica Bank) in the Global Entrepreneur of the Year category. Known as the "Grammys of Entrepreneurship," the awards drew over 5,000 UK applications. The selected national finalists collectively generate £3.3 Bn in turnover and employ over 17,700 people. • Business Breakdown: Ferreira is the founder and Managing Director of Sentario UK Ltd. and the founder of Exterminators PLC, recognized as Asia's first publicly listed specialist pest management company. • Tech & Innovation Focus: Moving to the UK in 2023, his recent ventures bridge environmental services with the ICT/BPM sector, developing advanced AI and environmental intelligence platforms. Key innovations include: MACCP X™: An AI-powered Mosquito Intelligence Platform. PACCP X™: An AI-augmented preventive pest management model. AI Report Factory™: An automated business intelligence reporting tool. • Next Steps: Final winners will be announced at the national awards ceremony in London later this year.
### 📈 Amangalla Named Among World’s Top 100 Luxury Hotels
Sri Lanka’s iconic hospitality & tourism sector achieves global recognition as Amangalla, located in the historic Galle Fort, secures the 64th position on Travel And Tour World’s (TTW) prestigious "Top 100 Luxury Hotels in the World" list for 2026. • Recognition: The property was selected for its exceptional blend of colonial heritage, personalized service, and authentic cultural immersion. • Key Features: Judges highlighted the seamless integration of centuries-old architecture with modern luxury, fine dining, and holistic wellness experiences. • National Impact: Such international accolades continue to bolster Sri Lanka’s profile as a high-end destination, supporting the growth of the luxury travel market and the preservation of national heritage. This ranking underscores the industry's shift toward offering travellers deeper, more transformative experiences while driving value within the local tourism economy.
🏆 CICT Secures 10th Consecutive AFLAS Award, Boosting Colombo Port Status
Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) has been named the Best Container Terminal – Asia (Under 4 million TEUs) at the 2026 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards in Shanghai. This marks a historic decade of consecutive wins, reinforcing Sri Lanka's position as a premier regional transshipment hub. • Performance & Scale: Since commencing full operations in 2014, CICT's container handling has grown from ~680,000 TEUs to processing over 3.00 Mn TEUs annually, handling a significant share of the Port of Colombo's total throughput. • Infrastructure Assets: The deep-water terminal features an 18-meter-deep quay, 1,200 meters of berth length, 14 quay cranes, and 46 electric rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes capable of handling the world’s largest container vessels. • Strategic Partnership: CICT operates as a joint venture under a 35-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement between China Merchants Port Holdings Company Ltd. and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). • Future Outlook: The terminal is currently executing a smart port transformation, investing in equipment electrification, digitalization, and AI-enabled operational improvements to drive sustainability and efficiency.
🏆 Dr. Rohantha Athukorala Named Rotarian of the Year 2025/26
• Key Achievement: Renowned professional Dr. Rohantha Athukorala was awarded the prestigious "Rotarian of the Year 2025/26" by District Governor Delvin Pereira at the Rotary Awards Ceremony held at ITC Ratnadipa. The accolade recognises his contribution to project management, strategic communications, and brand building. • Distinguished Track Record: This is his third major Rotary award, following "Most Outstanding Rotarian" (2019) and "The Exceptional Rotarian" (2015). In 2021, he became the first Sri Lankan to be named one of only six global "People of Action" honourees by Rotary International. • National Economic Impact: Dr. Athukorala has served as Chairman of both the Sri Lanka Export Development Board and Sri Lanka Tourism, two critical pillars for national foreign exchange and global market connectivity. He also served with the United Nations (UNOPS). • Current Leadership & Vision: A Harvard alumnus, he currently serves as Vice Chairman of the World Rural Tourism Organisation, CEO of Clootrack Software Labs (an AI-based brand mapping firm), and Director of APIIT and Lotus Hydro Power PLC. Upon receiving the award, he highlighted the vision for Sri Lanka to become a US$ 200 Bn economy focused on poverty eradication.
🎉 Praveena Perera Becomes First Sri Lankan Woman on Campaign APAC’s 40 Under 40
MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka Associate Vice President and Client Services Director, Praveena Perera, has been named to Campaign Asia-Pacific’s prestigious 40 Under 40 list for 2026, marking a significant milestone for the country's marketing and communications sector. • The Achievement: Perera is the first Sri Lankan woman to receive this regional recognition, which honors 40 influential emerging leaders across 14 markets in marketing, media, technology, and communications. • Business & Leadership Impact: As one of the youngest AVPs at MullenLowe Sri Lanka and a member of its Operating Committee, she manages the Unilever portfolio, overseeing 27 brands across four categories. • Track Record: Her leadership directly contributed to MullenLowe Sri Lanka winning Creative Agency of the Year at the 2025 Campaign Agency of the Year Awards, alongside Agency of the Year and Marketer of the Year honors at the Effie Awards Sri Lanka 2025. • National Context & Diversity: Beyond business growth, Perera was previously recognized in the Top 50 Professional and Career Women Global Awards (2023). Her role emphasizes a strong commitment to mentoring future talent and driving greater female representation and leadership within Sri Lanka's creative industries.
📈 NCQP 2026 Hits Record Participation with 2,000+ Delegates and 450+ Teams
The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity (SLAAQP) hosted its largest-ever National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP) 2026 on June 17 in Colombo, focusing on driving organizational excellence and long-term competitiveness. • Overall Figures & Participation: The convention drew a record-breaking crowd of over 2,000 delegates from more than 100 organizations. A total of 450 improvement teams from diverse sectors showcased projects across categories like Quality Control Circles, Lean Six Sigma, and Kaizen. • Sector Highlights & Top Awards: • The prestigious Sunil G. Wijesinha QC Circle Excellence Award—the highest honor of the convention—was awarded to two top-performing projects. • Key winners included Team ThreadX from the apparel & textiles sector (MAS Bodywear Casual Line Division) and Team Saviya from Elastomeric Engineering Ltd. • National Context & Impact: Held under the theme “People-Driven Quality and Productivity for a Resilient Sri Lanka,” the platform underscores the critical role of operational efficiency and global continuous improvement methodologies in building economic resilience and enhancing national development.