Raising the bar: Sri Lanka’s 30th National Bartenders Competition concludes with flair, passion, and progress

Flair Bartending Champion: Pasindu Rukshan (The Kingsbury Colombo) 

Classic Category Champion: W. K. Rashen (Uncle’s Bar, Colombo)

IDL Executive Director Indhu Selvaratnam       

SLHGA President Patrick Pereira  

• A landmark celebration of talent, diversity, and hospitality excellence as the Grand Finale crowns the nation’s top bartenders

The 30th edition of the National Bartenders Competition 2025, Sri Lanka’s premier platform for bartending excellence, concluded in spectacular style at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo. This milestone event marked a defining moment in the country’s hospitality calendar, bringing together top talent, a vibrant audience, and the industry’s strongest advocates in one extraordinary evening. Organised by the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA) in partnership with the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) and proudly powered by International Distillers Ltd. (IDL), the Grand Finale attracted nationwide attention. The event was streamed live on the NBC Facebook page, offering audiences across the country a front-row seat to the excitement, energy, and elite talent that defined this year’s edition.

Following six regional rounds and an electrifying semifinal, ten top finalists, five each from the Classic and Flair categories, took the spotlight at the finale. The evening closed with the announcement of the following winners: Classic Category Champion – W. K. Rashen (Uncle’s Bar, Colombo), Flair Bartending Champion – Pasindu Rukshan (The Kingsbury Colombo), IDL Challenge Trophy – H. A. N. A. Amarasinghe (W15 Hanthana Estate, Kandy), and Most Popular Online Bartender – R. M. Kavishka Deshan (Araliya Beach Resort & Spa Unawatuna).

One of the most celebrated milestones of this year’s competition was the remarkable rise in female participation. For the first time in NBC history, more than 20% of all contestants were women. Even more notably, four out of five Classic category finalists were female, reflecting a powerful shift in representation and recognition within Sri Lanka’s hospitality landscape. “Celebrating the strong presence of women in this year’s competition is truly inspiring,” said International Distillers Ltd. Executive Director Indhu Selvaratnam. “It reflects the growing confidence and ambition of female professionals in our industry, and we are proud to support a platform that continues to empower and elevate their talent.”

As a key force behind the competition for the past three years, International Distillers Ltd. (IDL), the market leader in Locally Manufactured Foreign Liquor (LMFL), has played a pivotal role in elevating Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry through its continued support of the National Bartenders Competition. IDL has significantly enhanced the competition’s reach, relevance, and impact by empowering the next generation of bartenders through education, recognition, and meaningful industry engagement. The introduction of new categories such as the IDL Challenge Trophy and Most Popular Online Bartender has created innovative platforms for contestants to showcase their creativity, skill, and public appeal. These initiatives reflect IDL’s long-term vision to nurture a skilled, confident, and globally competitive hospitality workforce across Sri Lanka. To ensure fairness and transparency, the final judging process was independently audited by Ernst & Young Sri Lanka. A panel of respected local and international judges evaluated the finalists, reinforcing NBC’s reputation as the national benchmark for bartending excellence. As it celebrates its 30th edition, the National Bartenders Competition continues to serve as a powerful platform for professional growth, gender inclusion, and industry-wide progress. With momentum stronger than ever, the competition is shaping the future of bartending in Sri Lanka and beyond.