The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity (SLAAQP) successfully hosted the National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP) 2026 on 17 June at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, Colombo, bringing together more than 2,000 delegates from over 100 organisations for the largest edition of the convention to date.
Held under the theme "People-Driven Quality and Productivity for a Resilient Sri Lanka," the convention highlighted the vital role of people in driving organisational excellence, innovation, and long-term competitiveness across industries.
NCQP 2026 recognised the achievements of 450 improvement teams representing a diverse range of sectors. Participants were honoured with Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards across several categories, including Quality Control Circles, Lean Six Sigma, Quality Improvement Teams, Cross-Functional Teams, and Kaizen, celebrating initiatives that have delivered measurable improvements in quality, productivity, and operational excellence.
The event was graced by Magala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Export Development Board, as Chief Guest. Dr. Sanjaya Rathnayake, Group Chief Executive Officer of Lanka Hospitals PLC, and Prof. Theekshana Suraweera, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), attended as Guests of Honour.
A key highlight of the convention was the presentation of the prestigious Mr. Sunil G. Wijesinha QC Circle Excellence Award, the highest recognition presented at NCQP. This year's honour was awarded to Team ThreadX of MAS Bodywear Casual Line Division and the Saviya Team of Elastomeric Engineering (Pvt) Ltd., recognising their outstanding quality improvement projects.
Commenting on the success of the event, Sajeewa Ranasinghe, President of SLAAQP, said, "Over the years, NCQP has evolved into one of Sri Lanka's most important platforms for sharing best practices, recognising excellence, and promoting continuous improvement. The strong participation witnessed this year reflects the growing commitment across industries to quality, productivity, and organisational excellence as key drivers of national development."
Sakunthala Goonethilleke, Chairperson of NCQP 2026, added, "NCQP 2026 reaffirmed the importance of empowering people to lead quality and productivity initiatives within their organisations. The enthusiasm, innovation, and commitment demonstrated by the participating teams showcased the tremendous potential that exists across Sri Lanka to build a more resilient, productive, and globally competitive future."
By bringing together industry leaders, quality professionals, and improvement teams from across the country, NCQP 2026 once again reinforced its position as Sri Lanka's premier platform for recognising excellence, sharing best practices, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Five Business Lessons from Nepal's First Billionaire
Dr. Binod Chaudhary, Chairman of CG Corp Global and Nepal's only Forbes-listed billionaire, shared lessons from more than five decades of entrepreneurship during a conversation hosted by the Entrepreneurs' Organisation (EO) Sri Lanka Chapter.
Moderated by Haresh de Soysa, Director of Trade Promoters Limited, and organised by Umayanga Nanayakkara of Asset Engineering (Pvt) Ltd., the session explored topics ranging from international expansion and Japanese business culture to leadership, resilience, and family succession. Drawing on his experience of building a multi-billion-dollar business operating in 32 countries, Dr. Chaudhary offered valuable insights into succeeding in challenging markets.
Investing with Conviction in Sri Lanka
Dr. Chaudhary reflected on his longstanding relationship with Sri Lanka, which began in 2001 during the country's civil conflict. Despite subsequent economic and political challenges, he has continued to expand his investments, including announcing an additional US$50 million investment during a period when many investors were withdrawing.
Today, CG Corp Global's presence in Sri Lanka spans multiple sectors, including banking through its majority stake in Union Bank, hospitality through investments such as the Taj Samudra, a partnership with John Keells for the BYD automotive business, and a cement feasibility study currently underway.
Resilience Built in Challenging Markets
One of the session's most memorable moments came when Dr. Chaudhary spoke about the advantages of building businesses in developing economies.
"If you can figure out how to succeed in countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka, it is like you know how to get on a badminton court and be ready for a cricket ball to come at you," he remarked.
He explained that entrepreneurs who have navigated currency volatility, political uncertainty, and regulatory challenges develop a level of resilience and adaptability that becomes a significant competitive advantage when expanding into more stable markets.
Lessons from Japan
Dr. Chaudhary also highlighted the influence of Japan on his leadership philosophy, describing the country as the place where he received "the education I never got in a classroom."
Recalling visits during the 1970s, he identified three qualities that continue to shape his approach to business: organisational discipline, a culture that places collective success above individual recognition, and the willingness of teams to fully support decisions once they have been made, even after internal disagreement.
His reflections underscored the importance of discipline, collaboration, and long-term thinking in building enduring businesses capable of succeeding across diverse global markets.
SLAAQP Hosts National Convention on Quality and Productivity
