MullenLowe’s Sampath Karunaratne awarded Next-Gen Leader Scholarship to Cannes Lions

Sampath Karunaratne receives Next-Gen Leader Scholarship from Sysco LABS Director Brand and Communications Gian de Rose in the presence of Metal Factor founder Ranil de Silva

MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka continues its creative dominance as Creative Director Sampath Karunaratne has been named the recipient of the 2026 Next Generation Leader Scholarship to attend the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France.

This marks the second consecutive year that a MullenLowe Sri Lanka creative leader has been selected for the scholarship, following Harendra Uyanage, who was recognised as the inaugural recipient last year during his tenure as Vice President and Executive Creative Director. 

Initiated by Metal Factor, the scholarship honours the legacy of Yong Lye Peng and is designed to identify and support emerging leaders within Sri Lanka’s marketing communications industry. 

The programme places a strong emphasis on global exposure, enabling the recipients to engage with leading thinkers, participate in workshops and return with perspectives that can elevate the local industry.

The 2026 recipient was selected through a rigorous adjudication process led by a distinguished panel comprising Metal Factor Founder Ranil de Silva, Sysco LABS Director Brand and Communications Gian de Rose, DFCC Bank Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Kaushala Amarasekara and Ngage Strategic Alliance CEO Sheron Jayasundara.

de Silva stated, “Yong Lye Peng was a globally respected marketing communications strategist and a valued partner in establishing Leo Burnett in Sri Lanka. This scholarship, initiated by her husband Douglas Khoo, was created to recognise and reward the next generation of leaders in our industry and Sampath Karunaratne stood out to the jury this year, earning the opportunity to attend the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. I am confident he will find the experience deeply rewarding and return inspired to contribute towards elevating creative standards in Sri Lanka, while helping our industry gain greater global recognition.”

Karunaratne brings nearly two decades of experience in Sri Lanka’s advertising industry, having begun his career as a copywriter and steadily built a reputation for creative excellence and leadership. The scholarship provides him with a partially funded opportunity to attend the 2026 festival and engage with the global creative community.

Reflecting on the recognition, Karunaratne said, “I see this opportunity as a responsibility to take Sri Lankan creativity to the world. Not just to participate but to show that we belong on that stage and to create more opportunities for others to follow.”

MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Harendra Uyanage added, “Sampath’s journey reflects a deep commitment to creative excellence and to the teams he has led over the years and this recognition is well deserved, speaking to both his craft and his leadership. Exposure to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity will add a new dimension to his thinking and I am confident he will return with insights that will contribute meaningfully to our industry.”