Corporates shine at NCQP 2025 with innovative solutions

Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity Council Members 2025-2026

Seated from left: T.M.P.G. Tennakoon (Treasurer), Sakuntala Goonethilleke (Vice President), Dr. Nirmali de Silva (Vice President), Dr. Hemantha Weerakoon (Secretary), Dr. Surani Dias (President), Namal Dharmarathne (Senior Vice President), Medhani Somasinghe (Vice President), Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe (Editor), Tony Ukwattage (Asst. Secretary)

Standing from left: Darshana Lalchandra (Council Member), Prof. Chandana Perera (Council Member), Sajeewa Ranasinghe (Council Member), Ruwani Senevirathne (Asst. Treasurer), Piumi Perera (Council Member), Ifhamaa Azeem (Asst. Editor), Dinushi Yasoradhi (Council Member), Uditha Senaratne (Council Member), Dumidu Ranaweera (Council Member), Tharanga Nanayakkara (Council Member)

Not present: S.A. Wipul Kularathne (Immediate Past President), Premalal Pathirana (Vice President), Dr. Karthika Kathiresan (Council Member), K.C.R.K. Lokugeegana (Council Member) 

The National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP) 2025, a flagship initiative of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity (SLAAQP), was held with resounding success on 21 and 22 May at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. 

Bringing together over 500 teams from more than 70 corporations, the event highlighted Sri Lanka’s dedication to advancing innovation and excellence in quality improvement.

This year’s convention showcased internationally recognised methodologies such as Quality Control Circles (QCC), Lean Six Sigma, and Kaizen, which remain pivotal in enhancing operational efficiency across industries. The dignitaries, including Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, National Enterprise Development Authority Chairman and Director General Lakshman Abeysekera, Ansell Senior Director and Country Head Ramesh Nanayakkara, and MAS Holdings Group Process Excellence Director Samantha Seneviratne, emphasised the importance of quality in strengthening Sri Lanka’s competitive edge.

SLAAQP President Dr Surani Dias said: “This year’s theme, Beyond Boundaries: Quality, Productivity and Innovation for Market Competitiveness, reflects the transformative potential of innovation in our industries. We are immensely proud to lead the national productivity movement, providing a platform to celebrate achievements and inspire continuous improvement.”

NCQP 2025 featured outstanding solutions from various manufacturing and service industries, including apparel, packaging, healthcare, and banking. A distinguished panel of judges recognised 350 gold, 73 silver, and 8 bronze awards, celebrating the impact and ingenuity of the participating teams.

A key highlight was the Sunil G Wijesinha Quality Control Circle Excellence Award, presented to outstanding projects in quality management. On 21 May, Noritake Lanka Porcelain’s Team Guardian was honoured for their project, Reduction of Hankyo Mori Repairs. On 22 May, The Achievers from CBL Foods International earned accolades for reducing biscuit overweight by 12%.

NCQP 2025 Chairman Piumi Perera said: “Continuous improvement is fundamental to corporate success. This convention is the only event which serves as a catalyst for engaging teams at all levels to pursue cost reduction and efficiency gains. Such efforts strengthen domestic resilience and unlock global opportunities.”

As Sri Lanka’s representative to the International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC), SLAAQP ensures that Gold award-winning teams can compete globally. These efforts contribute significantly to economic growth, job creation, and sustainability, strengthening the country’s position as a resilient and competitive player on the international stage.

Dr. Dias added SLAAQP’s dedication to advancing excellence: “Through nurturing quality leadership and spearheading productivity breakthroughs, we are positioning Sri Lanka as a frontrunner in innovation, paving the way for sustained prosperity and international acclaim.”

SLAAQP has played a pivotal role in driving corporate transformation through initiatives such as NCQP, the 5S Awards, and tailored training programmes. Expanding its impact, the association has introduced several strategic initiatives, including the Ayano Total Quality Management (TQM) Excellence Award, Green Productivity Awards, and its second annual international research conference on 29th July 2025.

To further strengthen engagement with the business community, the association will host a business forum alongside the research conference. As a globally connected organisation, it collaborates with esteemed international partners, including the Asian Network for Quality (ANQ), the International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC), the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE), and Dr. Mikel J Harry Six Sigma Management Institute Inc. (SSMI), USA.