Bar Champs 2025 Grand Finale puts Sri Lankan bartending talent in spotlight

Cinnamon Lakeside’s Akash Rajapaksha crowned champion at Bar Champs 2025

From left: Sahan Prabodha – Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort (third place), Oshadi Raini – Amaya Lake Dambulla (third place), Akash Rajapaksha – Cinnamon Lakeside (first place), Chehan Prabod – Marriott Bay Resort & Spa Weligama 

(second place)

• Cinnamon Lakeside’s Akash Rajapaksha crowned champion

The Bar Champs 2025 Grand Finale concluded on a high note at The Hotel Show Colombo, celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the next generation of Sri Lanka’s bartending talent. Powered by Rockland Distilleries in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA), the fifth annual edition of the island’s premier bartending competition showcased an inspiring display of creativity and skill.

This year’s competition saw over 170 aspiring bartenders trained through island-wide workshops and regional rounds held across six major cities. After months of intense preparation and mentoring, six finalists competed in the highly anticipated finale on 30 July, where their artistry and technique were judged by a panel of respected industry leaders and award-winning mixology experts.

Akash Rajapaksha, representing Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, was crowned the winner of Bar Champs 2025, delivering an exceptional performance that impressed both judges and audiences alike. Chehan Prabod from Marriott Bay Resort & Spa Weligama secured second place, while the third place was jointly awarded to Oshadi Raini of Amaya Lake Dambulla and Sahan Prabodha from Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort, following a tightly contested round.

The competition also proudly featured talented finalists Dinujaya Rashmi from Cinnamon Life Colombo and Buvani Welagedara of Earl’s Regency, both of whom demonstrated impressive skill and professionalism throughout the event.

The panel of judges for this year’s finale included The Hotel Show Colombo 2025 Chairman Trevin Gomez; Asia’s Top 14 Bars Smoke & Bitters co-owner Don Ranasinghe; and Rockland Distilleries Head of International Sales Graham Merricks. They were joined by expert mixologists James Martil, Ashendra Hirdaramani, and Mevan Karunaratne, who brought their expertise and discerning palates to the judging process.

Rockland Distilleries Group CEO Dilmini Weragama praised the competition’s impact, stating, “Bar Champs is more than a competition — it’s a platform to nurture talent and uplift Sri Lanka’s beverage and hospitality industries. We are proud to be a catalyst in this movement.”

The Hotel Show Colombo 2025 Chairman Trevin Gomez highlighted the evolving nature of the bartending profession: “The bar is fast becoming a stage for storytelling, and this year’s finalists told some incredible ones through flavour, technique, and flair. It was an honour to host this vibrant celebration of talent and innovation.”

Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association President Patrick Pereira noted the broader impact of the initiative: “We are committed to building the future of Sri Lankan hospitality, and Bar Champs is a clear example of how collaboration between education, industry, and mentorship can unlock remarkable potential. These bartenders are the future.”

Bar Champs continues to play a vital role in raising the standard of mixology in Sri Lanka by empowering the next generation of professionals with world-class training, exposure, and opportunity. As the industry evolves, initiatives like this serve as a cornerstone in shaping a modern, skilled, and globally competitive hospitality workforce.