Corporates Shine at NCQP 2025 with Innovative Solutions

Corporates Shine at NCQP 2025 with Innovative Solutions

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 30 May 2025: The National Convention on Quality and Productivity (NCQP) 2025, a flagship initiative of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Quality and Productivity (SLAAQP), was held with resounding success on the 21st and 22nd of May at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. Bringing together over 500 teams from more than 70 corporations, the event highlighted Sri Lanka’s dedication to advancing innovation and excellence in quality improvement.

This year’s convention showcased internationally recognised methodologies such as Quality Control Circles (QCC), Lean Six Sigma, and Kaizen, which remain pivotal in enhancing operational efficiency across industries. The dignitaries, including Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Mr Chathuranga Abeysinghe; National Enterprise Development Authority Chairman and Director General, Mr Lakshman Abeysekera; Senior Director and Country Head at Ansell, Mr Ramesh Nanayakkara; and Director of Group Process Excellence at MAS Holdings, Mr Samantha Seneviratne, emphasised the importance of quality in strengthening Sri Lanka’s competitive edge.

Dr Surani Dias, President of SLAAQP, remarked on the event’s significance: “This year’s theme, Beyond Boundaries: Quality, Productivity and Innovation for Market Competitiveness, reflects the transformative potential of innovation in our industries. We are immensely proud to lead the national productivity movement, providing a platform to celebrate achievements and inspire continuous improvement.”

NCQP 2025 featured outstanding solutions from various manufacturing and service industries, including apparel, packaging, healthcare, and banking. A distinguished panel of judges recognised 350 gold, 73 silver, and 8 bronze awards, celebrating the impact and ingenuity of the participating teams.

A key highlight was the Sunil G Wijesinha Quality Control Circle Excellence Award, presented to outstanding projects in quality management. On 21st May, Noritake Lanka Porcelain’s Team Guardian was honoured for their project, Reduction of Hankyo Mori Repairs. On 22nd May, The Achievers from CBL Foods International earned accolades for reducing biscuit overweight by 12%.

Reflecting on these accomplishments, Ms Piumi Perera, Chairman of NCQP 2025, stated, “Continuous improvement is fundamental to corporate success. This convention is the only event which serves as a catalyst for engaging teams at all levels to pursue cost reduction and efficiency gains. Such efforts strengthen domestic resilience and unlock global opportunities.”

As Sri Lanka’s representative to the International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC), SLAAQP ensures that Gold award-winning teams can compete globally. These efforts contribute significantly to economic growth, job creation, and sustainability, strengthening the country’s position as a resilient and competitive player on the international stage.

Dr Dias added SLAAQP’s dedication to advancing excellence: “Through nurturing quality leadership and spearheading productivity breakthroughs, we are positioning Sri Lanka as a frontrunner in innovation, paving the way for sustained prosperity and international acclaim.”

SLAAQP has played a pivotal role in driving corporate transformation through initiatives such as NCQP, the 5S Awards, and tailored training programmes. Expanding its impact, the association has introduced several strategic initiatives, including the Ayano Total Quality Management (TQM) Excellence Award, Green Productivity Awards, and its second annual international research conference on 29th July 2025.

To further strengthen engagement with the business community, the association will host a business forum alongside the research conference. As a globally connected organisation, it collaborates with esteemed international partners, including the Asian Network for Quality (ANQ), the International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC), the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE), and Dr. Mikel J Harry Six Sigma Management Institute Inc. (SSMI), USA.

Corporates interested in embarking on a transformative journey are encouraged to connect with the association and explore opportunities to enhance their quality and productivity standards. For more information, please contact Dr Hemantha Weerakoon, Secretary of SLAAQP, via email at secretary@slaaqp.org or by phone at 0718385100.