National Bartenders Competition Grand Finale celebrates top industry talent

Classic Category Champion W.S. Chathussanka 

The 31st National Bartenders Competition (NBC) 2026 Grand Finale highlighted the growing creativity, professionalism, and Sri Lankan identity of the country’s bartending industry, as finalists competed before hospitality leaders and distinguished guests on 26 June 2026 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

Organized by the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA) in partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management (SLITHM), the competition was supported by International Distillers Limited (IDL) for the fourth consecutive year.

This year’s competition placed strong focus on innovation and local identity, with contestants crafting signature cocktails using Sri Lankan spirits, fruits, herbs, spices, botanicals, and indigenous ingredients. The result was a strong showcase of Sri Lanka’s beverage heritage, interpreted through contemporary mixology and professional presentation.

Indhu Selvaratnam, Deputy Chairperson of IDL said, “NBC 2026 demonstrated how much Sri Lankan bartending talent has evolved. The creativity shown by contestants, especially in the use of local ingredients, reflects the potential of our hospitality industry to create experiences that are both globally competitive and deeply Sri Lankan. IDL is proud to support this platform, together with SLHGA and SLITHM, as it continues to develop talent, confidence, and professional standards across the industry.”

The competition journey began with training and briefing sessions across six regions, equipping participants with modern bartending techniques, competition standards, presentation skills, and judging criteria. Regional competitions were then held islandwide, followed by a Master Class, National Semi-Finals, and the Grand Finale.

The Grand Finale was evaluated by international judges and senior Sri Lankan hospitality and bartending experts, ensuring an internationally benchmarked and transparent process. The final results were independently tabulated and verified by Ernst & Young.

Winners included W.S. Chathussanka from Waters Edge as Classic Category Champion, K.A.S. Sheshan from Jazzeble Colombo as Flair Category Champion, and P.K. Muthukumarana from Hilton Yala as IDL Challenge Trophy Winner. Hansini Dilrukshi from Cinnamon Wild was named Most Promising Female Bartender of the Year, while Sunny D. Perera from Kai Ahangama won Most Popular Digital Bartender of the Year.