The Expolanka Leisure Cluster delivered an outstanding performance at the National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA) 2026, with three of its brands securing recognition across multiple categories. The achievements reaffirm the Group’s continued focus on excellence, innovation and customer-centric service across Sri Lanka’s travel and tourism industry.
Among the evening’s top honours, Classic Travel was named Winner in the Travel, Visa and Immigration Services sector. Expo Visa Services (EVS) was recognised as Runner-Up in the same sector and also secured First Runner-Up in the Small Category. Meanwhile, Classic Destinations received a Merit Award in the Hospitality and Tourism Services sector.
Commenting on the achievements, Sabry Bahaudeen, Director / Chief Commercial Officer of Expolanka Leisure Cluster, said the recognitions reflect the standards maintained across the Group’s businesses.
“These recognitions reflect the standards we continue to uphold across every business within the Expolanka Leisure Cluster. While each of our brands serves a distinct market, they are united by a shared commitment to excellence, customer-centricity, and continuous improvement. These awards inspire us to keep raising the bar and delivering meaningful value through every experience we create,” he said.
Recognition Across Travel and Tourism
Organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), the National Business Excellence Awards is one of the country’s leading business recognition programmes. The awards recognise organisations demonstrating outstanding performance in areas including business excellence, leadership, governance and sustainable growth.
Now in its 21st year, the awards cover a broad range of industries and are determined through a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process involving independent technical experts and an experienced judging panel.
Shazna Hassen, Head of Strategic Planning & Business Development at Classic Travel, said the recognition of multiple brands from the cluster was a proud achievement for the organisation.
“To see multiple brands within our cluster recognised on one of Sri Lanka’s most respected business platforms is a proud achievement for all of us. It reflects the dedication of our teams, the trust placed in us by our customers and partners, and our collective pursuit of excellence,” she said.
She added that as the Group continues to grow, it remains focused on strengthening its brands, embracing innovation and delivering exceptional experiences that create lasting value across Sri Lanka’s travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.
The multiple awards highlight the collective strength of the Expolanka Leisure Cluster while recognising the individual contributions of its brands in delivering quality services to customers and partners across the industry.
Geoffrey Bawa Trust and LANKATILES Strengthen Sri Lanka’s Global Design Presence
LANKATILES has partnered with the Geoffrey Bawa Trust to support the 23rd Annual Geoffrey Bawa Memorial Lecture, held recently at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, reaffirming the company’s commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s architecture and design community.
The lecture was delivered by renowned Japanese architect Junya Ishigami, founder of junya.ishigami+associates. Recognised for challenging conventional approaches to architecture, Ishigami explores the relationship between built environments, nature and human experience through his distinctive and imaginative work.
The Memorial Lecture forms part of LANKATILES’ broader collaboration with the Geoffrey Bawa Trust, supporting platforms that enable design to be experienced, discussed and celebrated. The partnership also extends to DesignTalk, another knowledge-sharing initiative conducted throughout the year.
Supporting Sri Lanka’s Creative Ecosystem
Priyantha Talwatte, Managing Director of LANKATILES PLC, said design has remained central to the company’s journey and that its collaboration with the Geoffrey Bawa Trust provides an opportunity to support meaningful conversations around architecture and creativity.
“Design has always been central to the LANKATILES journey. Our collaboration with the Geoffrey Bawa Trust enables us to support spaces where architecture, creativity and new ideas come together. We are proud to contribute to platforms that celebrate design, inspire future generations and strengthen Sri Lanka’s architectural community,” he said.
For LANKATILES, design extends beyond the development of products and surface solutions. The company views its role as contributing to the wider creative ecosystem by facilitating conversations, encouraging fresh perspectives and connecting Sri Lankan audiences with influential voices from around the world.
The Geoffrey Bawa Trust continues to play an important role in developing Sri Lanka’s architecture and design landscape by creating opportunities for learning, dialogue and creative exchange.
Through initiatives such as the Annual Geoffrey Bawa Memorial Lecture and DesignTalk, the Trust brings architects, designers, students and the wider public together with leading practitioners and ideas, encouraging collaboration and supporting the continued evolution of Sri Lankan design.
Channa Daswatte, Chairperson of the Geoffrey Bawa and Lunuganga Trusts, highlighted the importance of the partnership with LANKATILES.
“Our partnership with LANKATILES is important because the Geoffrey Bawa Memorial Lecture brings new ideas to Sri Lanka, inspiring people through global perspectives and continuing Geoffrey Bawa’s legacy of encouraging generations to think differently, explore creativity and shape the future,” he said.
The collaboration between LANKATILES and the Geoffrey Bawa Trust therefore continues to create a platform for global design perspectives to engage with Sri Lanka’s creative community, while contributing to the ongoing conversation around architecture, innovation and design.
Expolanka Leisure Cluster Secures Multiple Wins at National Business Excellence Awards 2026
