MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka continues its strong creative performance on the global stage as Creative Director Sampath Karunaratne has been named the recipient of the 2026 Next Generation Leader Scholarship to attend the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France.
This marks the second consecutive year that a MullenLowe Sri Lanka creative leader has been selected for the scholarship, following Harendra Uyanage, who was the inaugural recipient during his tenure as Vice President and Executive Creative Director.
The scholarship, initiated by Metal Factor, honours the legacy of Yong Lye Peng and is designed to identify and support emerging leaders within Sri Lanka’s marketing communications industry. It aims to provide global exposure through participation in the Cannes Lions Festival, enabling recipients to engage with international thought leaders, attend workshops, and bring back insights to strengthen the local creative ecosystem.
The 2026 recipient was selected through a rigorous adjudication process led by a distinguished panel comprising Ranil de Silva, Founder of Metal Factor; Gian de Rose, Director – Brand and Communications at Sysco LABS; Kaushala Amarasekara, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at DFCC Bank; and Sheron Jayasundara, CEO of Ngage Strategic Alliance.
Commenting on the selection, Ranil de Silva noted that the scholarship was established to recognise and empower the next generation of industry leaders in Sri Lanka.
He added that Karunaratne stood out to the jury and is expected to benefit significantly from the global exposure, while contributing to raising creative standards and international recognition for Sri Lanka’s advertising industry.
With nearly two decades of experience in advertising, Karunaratne began his career as a copywriter and has since built a strong reputation for creative excellence and leadership within the industry.
The scholarship provides him with a partially funded opportunity to attend the 2026 Cannes Lions Festival, where he will engage with the global creative community.
Reflecting on the recognition, Karunaratne said he views the opportunity as a responsibility to represent Sri Lankan creativity on a global stage and to inspire greater opportunities for others within the industry.
HNB General Insurance Appoints Dilshan Perera as Chief Operating Officer
HNB General Insurance (HNBGI) has announced the appointment of Dilshan Perera as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), reinforcing the company’s commitment to strengthening its leadership pipeline and advancing its strategic transformation agenda within Sri Lanka’s insurance sector.
Dilshan Perera is an accomplished C-suite executive with over 20 years of experience across strategic management, digital transformation, marketing and brand management, sales, business development, and customer experience. His career spans multiple industries, including life and general insurance, telecommunications, banking, and retail, providing him with a broad and versatile leadership perspective.
Prior to this appointment, Perera served as Chief Transformation Officer at HNB General Insurance for three years, where he played a key role in driving the company’s transformation journey. He led the integration of innovative technologies and customer-centric strategies aimed at building a more agile and future-ready insurance organisation.
His previous roles include Head of InsurTech – Group Digital Services at Dialog Axiata PLC, Co-Founder of InsureMe.lk (Sri Lanka’s first insurance comparison platform), and Head of Marketing at HNB Assurance PLC. He has also held management positions at DFCC Bank and Ceylinco Life, contributing significantly to marketing and business development functions across the financial services sector.
Commenting on the appointment, HNB General Insurance Executive Director/CEO Sithumina Jayasundara said Dilshan brings strong strategic, digital, and operational expertise to the role.
“His track record in driving innovation, building strong brands, and delivering measurable performance makes him well-suited to lead our operations as we continue our growth and transformation journey. We are confident that his leadership will add significant value to our customers and stakeholders,” he said.
Dilshan Perera is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM – UK), a Life Member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, and a Member of the Institute of Management Sri Lanka. He holds an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management (Marketing) from the University of Kelaniya, and a Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from CIM – UK. He has also completed an Agency Management Training Course with LIMRA International, USA.
HNB General Insurance Limited is licensed by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL). The company operates with a customer-centric philosophy and maintains a balanced portfolio across motor and non-motor insurance segments, positioning itself as a growing player in Sri Lanka’s general insurance industry.
MullenLowe’s Sampath Karunaratne Awarded Next Generation Leader Scholarship to Cannes Lions
