Industry leaders, hoteliers, sommeliers, wine educators and beverage specialists have called for greater investment in education, people and industry-wide collaboration to further elevate Sri Lanka’s beverage and hospitality experience.

The call was made at the launch of the ICON Awards, a new industry platform celebrating Sri Lanka’s wine and hospitality landscape and recognising the people and establishments shaping its evolution.

An initiative by the Rockland Group, The ICON Awards introduces Sri Lanka’s first dedicated awards programme focused on wine and hospitality, with five categories designed to recognise excellence and encourage the continued development of the sector. The categories include Best Hotel Wine List, Best Independent Restaurant Wine List, Best Wine By The Glass Program, Best Sparkling Wine Program, Best Sommelier, Best Wine Education Training and Development Award.

The launch brought together leading figures from Sri Lanka’s hospitality and beverage industries, including hoteliers, restaurateurs, sommeliers, wine educators and beverage specialists, creating a platform for discussion on the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.

A key highlight of the event was the recognition of four industry changemakers whose contribution to wine and beverage education and the hospitality sector continues to shape the industry. The four honorees felicitated were Joseph Kenny – CEO, Beverage Academy; Veteran Educator in Wines and Spirits, Nishada Periyapperuma - Hospitality, Wine & Beverage Consultant, Sommelier, Educator and Hotel Industry Veteran, Sydney Rathnayake - Founder, Aperitivo Grand Cru; Consultation Wine & Hospitality Professional and Shiyani Saranapala - Founder, The Wine Consultant; Wine Educator and Certified Sake Sommelier.

Speaking at the event, Amal de Silva Wijeyeratne, Managing Director of Rockland Group, emphasised that the ICON Awards were intended to bring the industry together rather than represent any single company or portfolio.

“This initiative is about all of us coming together to elevate Sri Lanka’s beverage culture. Let’s compete, but let’s also collaborate. Let’s raise the standard together, share knowledge, create better experiences and make Sri Lanka a destination where exceptional hospitality and exceptional beverage experiences go hand in hand.”

The importance of investing in people was also highlighted by Danushka Othnapitiya, General Manager – Imported Wines and Spirits, Rockland Group, who noted the growing contribution of Sri Lankan hospitality professionals on the international stage.

“When given the right environment, our people compete at the highest levels in the world. Sri Lankans are making their mark on the world stage, and that is something for all of us to be proud of. And that is what the ICON Awards are all about.”

The launch also featured a panel discussion moderated by Shiyani Saranapala, The Wine Consultant LK, bringing together international wine professionals and hospitality leaders to examine the evolution of Sri Lanka’s beverage landscape and the challenges that need to be addressed to further develop the sector.

Dmitri Cooray, Managing Director, Jetwing Hotels, highlighted the commercial challenges faced by the hospitality industry, particularly in relation to food and beverage.

“When it comes to our food and beverage offering, our costs are among the highest in the region, while our margins are small. That is why our hoteliers find it challenging, and it is something we really need to improve when it comes to our overall offering.”

He also pointed to taxation as one of the issues affecting the industry's ability to invest in its offering, noting the need to examine how costs could be reduced to allow greater investment in products and guest experiences.

From an international wine perspective, Richard Duckitt, Winemaker at Bellingham Wine, South Africa, observed the progress he has witnessed in Sri Lanka over several years and highlighted the importance of developing wine offerings alongside the country's increasingly recognised culinary and hospitality experiences.

“I have been coming to Sri Lanka for a number of years, and I can see the progression over the years. I can really see a huge amount of progress.”

He noted that Sri Lanka's world-class hospitality establishments and culinary experiences also create an expectation for wine programmes that complement the overall guest experience.

Evan Gill, Group Sommelier, Vasse Felix, Australia, placed education at the centre of the industry's continued development, stressing that meaningful progress would require sustained commitment rather than short-term initiatives.

“I think education is the fundamental thing that is going to help raise the bar, so to speak, and lift everything along with it. Every now and then, I think, as a collective industry, we need to come together and start looking at things in a more holistic way. For me, it all comes back to education.”

He emphasised that developing Sri Lanka's wine and beverage culture would require a strategic, long-term approach, with the industry working collectively to address the opportunities and challenges ahead.

The ICON Awards seeks to provide a platform to recognise those already contributing to this evolution while encouraging hotels, restaurants, beverage professionals and educators to continue raising standards and sharing knowledge.