Friday Sep 25, 2026
Friday Sep 25, 2026
Friday, 25 September 2026 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
From left: Sathira Subhath of Cocosa was named First Runner-up, while K.G. Achintha Oshada of Cinnamon Lakeside emerged as the Bar Champs 2026 Champion. Kalindu Pigera secured the title of Second Runner-up
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Co-Owner Kampong
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Drams with Drama India and Beverage Consultant Founder Angad Gandhi Singh
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Bar Champs 2026 culminated in spectacular fashion as K.G. Achintha Oshada of Cinnamon Lakeside was crowned the winner of Sri Lanka’s premier bartending competition at the grand finale held on 27 July at Shangri-La Colombo.
Powered by The Rockland Group, in partnership with Colombo Hotel Show and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA), the sixth edition of Bar Champs brought together the country’s most promising bartenders in a celebration of creativity, technical excellence, and hospitality.
This year’s competition attracted over 300 aspiring bartenders from across the island who participated in an extensive series of regional workshops and competitions. Demonstrating the industry’s growing diversity, the program also recorded its highest-ever female participation, with 67 women taking part in the regional workshops.
Following regional competitions held across the South, Deep South, Negombo, Kandy, Sigiriya, Cultural Triangle, North and East, and Colombo regions, more than 50 participants advanced to the semi-finals. The top nine finalists earned their place in the grand finale: Ishara Dharmarathne (Cinnamon Citadel), Kalindu Pigera (Independent), K.G. Achintha Oshada (Cinnamon Lakeside), Eshan Rajika (Cinnamon Bentota Beach), Mohamed Hameed (Waters Edge), Prageeth Wijesundara (Cinnamon Citadel), Prageeth Madhawa (Cinnamon Wild Yala), Sathira Subhath (Cocosa), and C.G. Tania Perera (Cinnamon Lakeside).
Following an exciting display of innovation and technical skill, K.G. Achintha Oshada emerged as the Bar Champs 2026 Champion, with Sathira Subhath of Cocosa named First Runner-up and Kalindu Pigera securing the title of Second Runner-up.
The finalists were evaluated by an esteemed judging panel comprising Hotel Show Colombo Chairman and Cargills Retail Managing Director Trevine Gomes, Kampong Co-Founder Nelaka Darmawansha, and Drams with Drama India Founder Angad Gandhi Singh. The blind tasting round was judged by LAUGFS Holdings CEO and Sector Managing Director – Retail Niroshan De Silva, and Dots Hiriketiya Beverage Manager Ashaka Harith.
Now in its sixth year, Bar Champs continues to serve as Sri Lanka’s leading platform for nurturing bartending talent, equipping aspiring hospitality professionals with industry knowledge, practical skills, and invaluable exposure. The competition reinforces Rockland Group’s commitment to developing the country’s hospitality sector while inspiring the next generation of bartenders to pursue excellence and innovation.
Cinnamon Lakeside Achintha Oshada presented the winners’ trophy
Nine contestants out of over 250 bartenders emerged semi-finalists at the finale
One of the contestants making their signature cocktail at the Bar Champs Finale
