Nilmini Dissanayake of Chaaya Village, Habarana emerges 1st Runner-Up at the annual Asia Pacific Bartender's Competition 2008

Nilmini Dissanayake of Chaaya Village, Habarana, emerged 1st Runner-up at the annual Asia Pacific Bartender's Competition held on 20th August, 2008 at the Good Wood Park Hotel, Singapore.

A hostess at Chaaya Village, Nilmini was shortlisted from a total of 14 bartenders representing various countries, including Japan, Italy, Korea, Thailand and the UK, to be amongst the best 6 candidates, due to her exceptional performance at a very closely contested semi-final round.

Nilmini secured the 1st runner up position with yet another brilliant performance in concocting the perfect cocktail for the 'Classic Cocktail Category'.

Born in Kiribathkumbura (near Pilimatalawa) and educated at the Peradeniya Junior Secondary School, Nilmini has successfully passed her G.C.E (Ordinary Level) exam and excelled in netball and dancing whilst in school. Joining the team at Chaaya Village as a hostess in March 2006, Nilmini started her winning streak in June 2008, by emerging as the winner in the 'Classical Category' in the Cultural Triangle leg of the National Bartending competition. Having then been sent to the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management for further training to enhance her talents, Nilmini was selected among the 17 contestants for the Grand Final in Colombo. Living up to everyone's expectations, Nilmini emerged the winner in the 'Classical Category' at national level in the Grand Finals held at the Waters Edge, Colombo in July 2008.

Jayantissa Kehelpannala, Executive Vice President, John Keells Holdings PLC and Sector Head - Resort Hotels, said, "Nilmini has brought honour and glory, not only to the Chaaya brand, but also to Sri Lanka. It is after a period of 14 years that a Sri Lankan has achieved a milestone of this magnitude in the Asia-Pacific, where bartenders from England, Italy and Sweden also participated on invitation. We consider it a privilege to have her as a part of our team and we wish her well in setting her mark in the international arena in the future, too."