Students of the Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management (CAHM) at SLIIT once again demonstrated their talent, creativity, and professional excellence by securing outstanding achievements at two prestigious national hospitality competitions held recently in Sri Lanka.

The Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management (CAHM) is Sri Lanka’s leading private hospitality education institute, established in 2013 and located at the SLIIT Main Campus in Malabe. Renowned for delivering internationally recognised qualifications in partnership with the William Angliss Institute (RTO 3045), Australia—the Australian Government’s specialist hospitality education institute and the country’s leading provider of hospitality, tourism, foods and events education—CAHM offers Australian-standard vocational qualifications that combine international best practices with hands-on practical training and strong industry relevance, enabling graduates to pursue rewarding careers around the world.

At the 31st National Bartenders Competition (NBC), organized by the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association (SLHGA) in partnership with International Distillers Limited (IDL), CAHM student Anurasi Chandrasoma (Commercial Cookery Batch 22) emerged as the Winner in the highly competitive Hotel School Category. The competition, held on 26 May 2026 at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (SLITHM), Colombo, attracted more than 75 participants from hospitality education institutions across the country.

Representing CAHM alongside the winner were Dishala Gunawardhana (Hospitality Management Batch 37), Sunera Sathindu (Commercial Cookery Batch 21), and Devindu Amarasekara (Patisserie Batch 11), all of whom showcased exceptional bartending skills and professionalism. The achievement marks another significant milestone for CAHM, reinforcing its reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s leading hospitality education institutions.

Asia-Pacific stands at the forefront of one of the defining transitions of our time. Home to many of the world’s fastest-growing economies, the region is also confronting some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges—from climate change and biodiversity loss to widening inequalities, geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological transformation. As these challenges reshape the global business landscape, businesses are increasingly being called upon not only to respond, but to lead.

Against this backdrop, Sri Lanka will host Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026: Driving Business Leadership for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, the United Nations Global Compact’s flagship regional event for Asia-Pacific. Bringing together more than 200 business leaders, sustainability practitioners, policymakers, representatives from the United Nations and UN Global Compact Country Networks from across the region, the two-day event will provide a platform to strengthen partnerships, exchange practical solutions and mobilize business leadership in support of the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Led by the UN Global Compact Asia-Pacific Regional Hub and hosted in collaboration with UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, the regional event reflects a shared commitment to advancing responsible business and strengthening regional collaboration at a time when sustainable development depends on collective leadership and cross-sector cooperation.

The event will welcome Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General, CEO & Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact, whose presence spotlights the strategic importance of the Asia-Pacific region within the United Nations Global Compact. Her first official visit to Sri Lanka signals the growing role of the region in driving responsible business and sustainable development, while offering participating companies a unique opportunity to engage with global leadership, showcase their sustainability journeys, and help shape the next chapter of collective action towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Alongside Sanda Ojiambo, the Forum will also convene more than 60 global and regional leaders from business, the United Nations and civil society, including Dilhan C. Fernando, Chairman of Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company and Chairman of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka, and Sandra Wu, ESG Executive Adviser at Mirait One Corporation, fostering dialogue and collaboration to accelerate business leadership for sustainable and inclusive growth across Asia-Pacific.

Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026 also marks an important milestone in advancing the United Nations Global Compact’s 2026–2030 Strategy, which places renewed emphasis on equipping businesses with the knowledge, tools and partnerships needed to accelerate sustainable business transformation, catalyzing collaboration to address shared global challenges, and advancing responsible business leadership as a cornerstone of sustainable development. As one of the first flagship regional events aligned with this strategic direction, the event will help translate global ambition into regional action by connecting leaders, sharing practical experience and fostering the partnerships needed to create lasting impact.

Register Your Interest

Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026 will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 11–12 August 2026.

To register your interest or learn more about the event, please contact:

Chamath Kalupahana

Country Focal Point – Forward Faster Now | APAC 2026

Manager – Participant Engagement & Strategic Planning

UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka

Email: chamath@unglobalcompact.org.lk

SLT-MOBITEL, Sri Lanka’s National ICT Solutions Provider and the country’s leading integrated telecommunications brand, has been honoured as the Winner in the Sustainable Telecommunication Service Provider category at the prestigious Sri Lankan Sustainability Awards (SSA) 2026. This significant recognition reaffirms SLT-MOBITEL’s unwavering commitment to embedding sustainability at the heart of its business while driving the nation’s digital transformation.

As the country’s most trusted ICT brand, SLT-MOBITEL continues to lead by integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles across its operations, investments and digital innovations. The award reflects the company’s long-standing dedication to creating sustainable value for customers, communities and the environment while shaping a smarter, greener and more connected Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan Sustainability Awards (SSA) is a premier national platform that celebrates organizations demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation and measurable impact in advancing sustainability. Aligned with global climate goals and national development priorities, the awards recognize excellence across more than 50 categories spanning technology, energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, finance, education, media and community development.

Winning the ICT category underscores SLT-MOBITEL’s leadership in delivering future-ready digital solutions while championing responsible business practices. Through strategic investments in renewable energy, energy-efficient infrastructure, digital inclusion, climate action, responsible governance and community empowerment initiatives, the company continues to set industry benchmarks for sustainable growth.

Guided by internationally recognized sustainability frameworks and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SLT-MOBITEL remains committed to leveraging technology as a catalyst for positive environmental and social impact. Sustainability is deeply embedded within the company’s long-term strategy, ensuring that innovation and responsible growth go hand in hand.

This prestigious accolade further strengthens SLT-MOBITEL’s position as Sri Lanka’s leading sustainable ICT brand, reinforcing its commitment to empowering the nation through innovative digital connectivity while building a resilient, inclusive and environmentally responsible future for generations to come.