Silver Jubilee edition opens the stage for brands to showcase innovation, strategy, impact and the ambition to compete globally.
SLIM Brand Excellence, Sri Lanka’s established platform for recognising branding and marketing excellence, marks its 25th edition, inviting brand custodians and organisations across established, emerging, SME, digital, B2B, innovative and sustainability-led sectors to put forward the brands they believe have made a measurable impact.
The 25th anniversary signifies a quarter century of brand recognition and reflects Sri Lanka’s evolving branding practices. Brand excellence has evolved along with the brands shaping markets and consumer experiences, moving from traditional brand-building to digital, innovative, sustainable, and purpose-driven strategies. With updated award categories and an improved screening and judging procedure, the 2026 edition carries on that legacy.
As the professional body representing the marketing profession in Sri Lanka, SLIM has established Brand Excellence as a platform for brands to showcase the strategies, executions, and results that support their achievements. The 2026 judging procedure will evaluate both actual brand performance and strategic brand development, placing more emphasis on the substance of a brand’s success than just its visibility.
A two-round judging process will be used for the awards. A senior-level assessment of the Main Award categories will be conducted by a dedicated Senior Jury Panel made up of seasoned marketing and industry professionals after an initial screening procedure that compares entries to the relevant criteria. A presentation round will also be part of the process, giving Brand Custodians a chance to showcase the thinking and outcomes that have guided their brand’s journey.
Mr. Enoch Perera, President – Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), said, “As SLIM Brand Excellence celebrates its 25th Silver Jubilee, we celebrate not only a remarkable legacy, but also the evolution of branding and marketing in Sri Lanka. The way brands create value and engage consumers is changing rapidly, driven by technology, AI and evolving consumer expectations. At SLIM, our vision is to take Sri Lankan marketing to the world by building the capability, confidence and global perspective of our marketers and brands. This year’s Brand Excellence is therefore both a celebration of our past and a platform for the future—encouraging Sri Lankan brands to move from local strength to global influence and demonstrate excellence that can compete on the international stage.”
Mr. Rajiv David, Vice President – Events & Sustainability – SLIM, said, “The Silver Jubilee of SLIM Brand Excellence is a reminder that true excellence evolves with time. In 2026, we highlight brands that embrace sustainability, creativity, and responsibility – ensuring this platform continues to break clutter and set new standards for the industry.”
Mr. Manthika Ranasinghe, Vice President – Education and Research – SLIM, said, “Brand Excellence is not about being the biggest brand—it is about being the best-performing brand in its chosen market. We encourage brands of every size, across every industry in Sri Lanka, to participate. Beyond winning an award, the evaluation process itself offers invaluable learning, helping brands benchmark their performance and unlock future growth.”
Mr. Chamil Wickramasinghe, Chief Executive Officer, SLIM, further stated, “As the CEO of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), I am pleased to announce the launch of the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2026. Over the years, this flagship platform has recognised the vision, resilience and strategic thinking that contribute to strong brands and a dynamic marketing profession. The 2026 edition reflects the changing demands of the marketplace, with greater focus on brand agility, sustainable innovation and meaningful business impact. Through Brand Excellence, SLIM continues to provide marketers and organisations with a credible platform to demonstrate their capabilities, learn from industry benchmarks and contribute to the advancement of marketing in Sri Lanka.”
Through the Lifetime Recognition Awards, the 25th edition will also recognise notable industry personalities whose contributions have influenced the country’s branding and marketing landscape.
While the Brand Book guidelines outline the requirements for presenting each brand’s case, the 2026 Entry Kit offers the relevant award categories, eligibility criteria, entry fees, judging criteria, and application procedures for organisations and Brand Custodians considering participating. The revised categories, screening process, two-round judging methodology, Senior Jury Panel, presentation round, and Brand Custodian requirements are all covered in more detail in the Blueprint.
Mr. Nuwan Thilakawardhane, Project Chairman – SLIM Brand Excellence 2026, said, “It is a profound honor to lead SLIM Brand Excellence in its 25th Silver Jubilee year. The 2026 edition provides brands with an opportunity to step forward, present the thinking behind their strategies, demonstrate the results they have achieved and show how they have responded to the challenges and opportunities of today’s market. We invite brands across industries and at different stages of their journeys to be part of this milestone and use the platform to showcase the passion, perseverance and purpose behind their success. We look forward to seeing the stories, strategies and achievements that will shape this year’s competition.”
Mr. Nandana A. Wickramage, Head of Jury – SLIM Brand Excellence 2026, Chairman – Ceylon Ecolife (Pvt) Ltd, Strategic Advisor to Multiple Corporates, said, “At SLIM Brand Excellence 2026, the Jury plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the credibility, integrity, fairness, and professionalism of the awards. Every recognition will be earned through a rigorous and impartial evaluation process, reflecting genuine brand excellence. We seek to understand how brands identify meaningful consumer and market insights, translate those insights into clear and purposeful strategies, execute with excellence, and ultimately deliver sustainable and measurable results. As SLIM Brand Excellence celebrates its 25th successful year, this is a particularly significant milestone for the awards. The judging process will place particular emphasis on intent, insight, strategy, creativity, execution, and performance, examining not only what brands achieved, but also how and why they achieved it, and the value created for consumers, businesses, and society. Our objective is to ensure that every brand recognised at SLIM Brand Excellence 2026 demonstrates genuine achievement, strategic thinking, innovation, and effectiveness, recognising excellence in both thinking and delivery. I encourage all brand custodians to passionately present their brands’ journeys and success stories, supported by credible evidence and data. May the best stories of genuine brand excellence emerge, inspire our industry, and set new benchmarks for the future.”
As Brand Excellence enters its next quarter century, the focus is not only on the brands that have already made their mark, but on those shaping what comes next.
Twenty-five years of recognising excellence. Now, it is your brand’s turn to take the stage.
END
Image Caption –
Left To right,
Mr. Chamil Wickramasinghe (CEO – Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing)
Mr. Nanadana Wickramage (Head of Jury – SLIM Brand Excellence 2026)
Mr. Enoch Perera (President – Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing)
Mr. Nuwan Thilakawardhane (Project Chairman – SLIM Brand Excellence 2026)
Ms. Roshani Fernando, (Deputy Project Chairperson- SLIM Brand Excellence 2026)
