International Distillers Limited (IDL), a leading spirits manufacturer in Sri Lanka with over four decades of distinguished history, has marked a significant achievement by winning the CIPM Great HR Quiz 2026 in their inaugural participation. Competing against 74 teams of seasoned HR professionals from various industries, IDL not only emerged as the overall winner but also claimed the top spot in the Food, Beverage, and Distillery category.
Established in 1980 as Gilbey’s Lanka Limited, a subsidiary of the renowned Gilbey’s of London, IDL has built its reputation on exceptional distilling expertise and stringent quality standards. After being acquired by East India Holdings (Pvt) Ltd in 2004, the company underwent strategic changes, rebranding as ID Lanka Limited before adopting its current name, International Distillers Limited, in 2014. Today, IDL is recognized as Sri Lanka’s largest producer of locally manufactured foreign liquor, offering a diverse array of premium spirits including arrack, whisky, brandy, rum, gin, and vodka, all produced at state-of-the-art facilities with multiple ISO certifications.
The Great HR Quiz, organized by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) Sri Lanka, was first introduced in 2014 and is the country’s only national-level quiz focused exclusively on human resource management. The 2026 edition of the quiz featured a revamped format, making it more challenging by moving away from simple knowledge-based questions to emphasize real-life HR scenarios. Participants were tested on decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic thinking across the entire employee lifecycle.
Despite this being their first participation, International Distillers Ltd. delivered an outstanding performance. Competing against experienced teams from established organizations, the IDL team demonstrated exceptional confidence, clarity, and teamwork, ultimately emerging as the champions. The winning team comprised Hansanie Illangakoon, Chaminda de Seram, Prasad Gunathilaka, and Ashan Maraweerahewa. Their success was fueled by meticulous preparation, clear thinking under pressure, and seamless collaboration, reflecting IDL’s focus on continuous learning, teamwork, and practical application of HR knowledge in real-world business scenarios.
IDL’s CEO, Janek Jayasekara, expressed his pride in the team’s achievement, stating, “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’s 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 underscores International Distillers Ltd.’s commitment to strategically investing in its people and building high-performing teams. With award-winning premium arrack brands gaining international recognition and a growing export presence in Europe, Australia, Japan, and North America, IDL continues to establish itself as a uniquely Sri Lankan success story. This latest accolade further solidifies the company’s reputation as an organization where proud local heritage is complemented 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.
