Celebrating Sri Lanka’s Finest Bartending Talent at the National Bartenders Competition 2026
Sri Lanka’s finest bartending talent took centre stage at the Grand Finale of the 31st National Bartenders Competition 2026, held on 26 June at Cinnamon Grand Colombo.
The event brought together distinguished guests, hospitality professionals and emerging bartenders from across the country, marking the successful conclusion of an extensive national competition journey.
Organized by the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association in partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management, the National Bartenders Competition continues to serve as Sri Lanka’s leading national platform for recognizing and developing bartending talent.
International Distillers Limited proudly partnered with the competition for the fourth consecutive year, reaffirming its long-term commitment to supporting professional development and sustainable growth within Sri Lanka’s hospitality and tourism industries.
A National Journey of Learning and Competition
NBC 2026 commenced with training and briefing sessions conducted across six regions: Cultural Triangle and East Coast, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, Deep Down South, Down South, Negombo, and Colombo.
These sessions introduced participants to modern bartending techniques, competition standards, presentation skills and judging criteria. They were followed by six regional competitions, where contestants demonstrated their technical expertise, creativity and ability to perform under pressure.
Successful contestants progressed to an exclusive Master Class and the National Semi-Finals before earning their place at the Grand Finale.
The 2026 competition attracted strong participation from hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars and hospitality educational institutions throughout Sri Lanka. It also recorded one of the highest levels of female participation in the competition’s history.
Showcasing Creativity and Sri Lankan Identity
Throughout the competition, contestants created signature cocktails using Sri Lankan spirits together with locally sourced fruits, herbs, spices, botanicals and indigenous ingredients.
These creations reflected the richness of Sri Lanka’s beverage heritage while demonstrating how local flavours can be presented through modern mixology.
The Grand Finale was evaluated by a panel of international judges and leading Sri Lankan hospitality and bartending experts. The final results were independently tabulated and verified by Ernst & Young, ensuring a transparent, fair and credible judging process.
Recognizing the Champions of NBC 2026
The winners of the 31st National Bartenders Competition were:
Classic Category Champion: W.S. Chathussanka of Waters Edge
Flair Category Champion: K.A.S. Sheshan of Jazzeble, Colombo
IDL Challenge Trophy – Black Box Category: P.K. Muthukumarana of Hilton Yala
Most Promising Female Bartender of the Year: Hansini Dilrukshi of Cinnamon
Wild Most Popular Digital Bartender of the Year: Sunny D. Perera of Kai Ahangama
The introduction of the Most Promising Female Bartender of the Year award was an important milestone in encouraging greater female participation and building a more inclusive bartending profession.
Commenting on the competition, Ms. Indhu Selvaratnam, Deputy Chairperson of IDL, highlighted the importance of providing a platform for local talent to develop their skills and receive professional recognition.
She noted that the continuous improvement in competition standards reflects the dedication of the organizers, trainers, judges and contestants who contribute to the programme each year.
Building the Future of Sri Lanka’s Hospitality Industry
The National Bartenders Competition demonstrates the positive impact of collaboration between industry organizations, educational institutions and corporate partners.
Through its continued partnership with SLHGA and SLITHM, IDL remains committed to developing skilled hospitality professionals, encouraging creativity and innovation, promoting responsible service standards, and creating meaningful career opportunities for the next generation.
By supporting platforms such as NBC, IDL continues to contribute to the long-term growth and advancement of Sri Lanka’s hospitality and tourism industries.