AkzoNobel Paints Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., in partnership with the City School of Architecture
(CSA), honoured the winners of the Colour Awards 2021-2022 at the CSA Graduation &
Awards Ceremony held recently at the BMICH. A partnership initiated four years ago by
the producer of Dulux paints in Sri Lanka, the annual competition hopes to raise the bar
of design and innovation standards and encourage young creative talent as important
future players in a fast-evolving industry.
Every year the prize invites 1 st year students from the City School of Architecture to face
a new colour and architecture-themed design challenge. After several mentoring
sessions by the academic staff of CSA -namely Archt. Nela de Zoyza, Archt. Anurangi
Mendis, and Archt. Shayan Kumaradas-, participants are then required to produce a
final submission and present it to a high-profile selection committee. This year, each
submission was reviewed by a star-studded panel of industry specialists, including Mr.
Romesh de Silva, Ms. Charmaine Mendis, Archt. Shevanthi Basnayake, Archt. Kosala
Weerasekera, Archt. Rehan Thillakeratne, and Archt Nandika Denipitiya, together with
the Managing Director of AkzoNobel Paints in Sri Lanka, Mr. Wasantha Heenatigala.
Following a rigorous judging process, the five most impressive submissions were
chosen, with winners being conferred a generous cash reward, as well the prestige of
having being recognized by the pioneers of the paint manufacturing industry in Sri
Lanka and the world.
Speaking at this year’s ceremony, Upendra Gunawardhana, Head of Marketing of
AkzoNobel Sri Lanka commented, “As a leading global paints and coating company, we
are convinced that in helping develop and highlight emerging talent, we are also playing
a crucial role in shaping the future of the industry. With the Colour Awards we hope to
provide a platform through which university students can hone their design thinking
skills on an industry level, while at the same time also consistently set benchmarks of
innovation for the years to come.”
“Over the years AkzoNobel has played a significant role in supporting the educational
growth and creative development of our students through its Colour Awards,” said
Archt. Professor Lal Balasuriya, Head of School of the City School of Architecture.
“Here, young design aspirants are given the chance to test the limits of both, their
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creative ingenuity and industry acumen, and we’re sincerely grateful to AkzoNobel for
this transformative opportunity.”
