International Distillers Limited (IDL), one of Sri Lanka's foremost spirits manufacturers with a distinguished legacy spanning over four decades, achieved a major milestone by winning the CIPM Great HR Quiz 2026 in their debut appearance at the competition, defeating 74 other teams of experienced HR professionals from across all industries. In addition to being the overall winners, International Distillers Limited clamed the winner in the Food, Beverage and Distillery category.

Founded in 1980 as Gilbey's Lanka Limited, a subsidiary of the legendary Gilbey's of London, IDL built its foundation on world-class distilling expertise and rigorous quality standards. Following its acquisition by East India Holdings (Pvt) Ltd in 2004, the company underwent strategic evolution, rebranding first as ID Lanka Limited before assuming its current identity as International Distillers Limited in 2014. Today, IDL holds the distinction of being Sri Lanka's largest locally manufactured foreign liquor producer, crafting a diverse range of premium spirits including arrack, whisky, brandy, rum, gin, and vodka from state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities backed by multiple ISO certifications.

Organized by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka, the Great HR Quiz was first introduced in 2014 and has since become the country's only national-level quiz dedicated entirely to human resource management. The 2026 edition marked a key turning point for the competition, with a refreshed format that made it more challenging than ever before. This year's quiz moved away from simple knowledge-based questions and focused strongly on real-life HR situations, testing participants on decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic thinking across the entire employee life cycle.

Despite being their first time participating, International Distillers Ltd. delivered an outstanding performance. Competing against experienced teams from well-established organizations, the IDL team showed exceptional confidence, clarity, and strong teamwork, ultimately emerging as overall champions against formidable competition. The winning team consisted of Hansanie Illangakoon, Chaminda de Seram, Prasad Gunathilaka, and Ashan Maraweerahewa. Their success was driven by meticulous preparation, clear thinking under pressure, and seamless collaboration, reflecting IDL's emphasis on continuous learning, teamwork, and practical application of HR knowledge in real-world business scenarios.

International Distillers Ltd. CEO Janek Jayasekara expressed his pride in the team's achievement: "Winning the CIPM Great HR Quiz on our first attempt is a remarkable accomplishment that speaks volumes about the quality and capability of our people. This victory is not just about our HR team; it reflects our organization's culture of excellence, strategic thinking, and commitment to developing our most valuable asset: our people. Our success in this competition validates our investment in building a world-class HR function that drives business performance and creates sustainable competitive advantage."

IDL Chief Human Resources Officer Rohitha Amarapala added: "This victory is a testament to the caliber of our HR team and their commitment to excellence. Winning the CIPM Great HR Quiz in our first attempt demonstrates the strong foundation we have built in people management practices at IDL. Our team's ability to apply strategic HR thinking to complex real-world scenarios showcases the depth of expertise we have developed. I am proud of Hansanie, Chaminda, Prasad, and Ashan for their exceptional performance and for representing IDL with such distinction."

The championship win reinforces International Distillers Ltd.'s position as an organization that invests strategically in developing its people and building high-performing teams. With award-winning premium arrack brands earning international recognition and a growing export presence across Europe, Australia, Japan, and North America, IDL continues to position itself as a uniquely Sri Lankan success story. This latest accolade further cements the company's standing as an organization where proud local heritage is elevated by global best practices, continuous innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, not only in manufacturing world-class spirits but also in building world-class teams that drive organizational success in Sri Lanka's competitive business landscape.