Colombo, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s most promising bartending professionals were recognized at the 31st National Bartenders Competition (NBC) 2026 Grand Finale, held on 26 June 2026 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. The event celebrated technical skill, creativity, speed, presentation, and innovation across Sri Lanka’s growing hospitality and tourism sector.
The competition was organized by the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA) in partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM), with International Distillers Limited (IDL) partnering the event for the fourth consecutive year.
NBC 2026 followed a comprehensive islandwide journey, beginning with training and briefing sessions across the Cultural Triangle and East Coast, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, Deep Down South, Down South, Negombo, and Colombo. Contestants then competed through regional rounds, an exclusive Master Class, and the National Semi-Finals before reaching the Grand Finale.
The competition attracted strong participation from hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, and hospitality institutions across the island. This year also recorded one of the highest levels of female participation in the competition’s history, reflecting the growing diversity of Sri Lanka’s bartending profession.
Ms. Indu Selvaratnam, spokesperson for the event, said, “A live cocktail competition brings out the true strength of a bartender. The Black Box round, in particular, tests instinct, flavour understanding, confidence, and adaptability under pressure. This year’s contestants showed remarkable talent, and it was encouraging to see the hospitality community come together to support them.”
The Classic Category Champion was W.S. Chathussanka from Waters Edge, while K.A.S. Sheshan from Jazzeble Colombo won the Flair Category. The IDL Challenge Trophy for the Black Box Category was awarded to P.K. Muthukumarana from Hilton Yala.
Ms. Hansini Dilrukshi from Cinnamon Wild won the Indhu Selvaratnam and Dr. Gitanjali Chakravarthy Challenge Trophy for Most Promising Female Bartender of the Year, while Sunny D. Perera from Kai Ahangama was named Most Popular Digital Bartender of the Year.
The final results were independently tabulated and verified by Ernst & Young.
