SAMPATH KARUNARATNE AWARDED SCHOLARSHIP TO ATTEND CANNES LIONS 2026

Sri Lankan advertising leader Sampath Karunaratne has been awarded a partially funded scholarship to attend the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. With nearly two decades of industry experience, he sees the recognition as a responsibility to showcase Sri Lankan creativity globally and inspire future opportunities.

Sampath Karunaratne, a seasoned figure in Sri Lanka’s advertising industry, has been awarded a scholarship to participate in the 2026 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The recognition provides him with a partially funded opportunity to engage with the global creative community, marking a significant milestone in his career.  

Karunaratne, who began his journey as a copywriter and has since built a reputation for creative excellence and leadership, described the honour as more than personal achievement. “I see this opportunity as a responsibility to take Sri Lankan creativity to the world. Not just to participate, but to show that we belong on that stage and to create more opportunities for others to follow,” he said.  

Congratulating him, Harendra Uyanage, Vice President and Chief Creative Officer at MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka, emphasised the importance of the recognition. “Sampath’s journey reflects a deep commitment to creative excellence and to the teams he has led over the years, and this recognition is well deserved, speaking to both his craft and his leadership. Exposure to the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity will add a new dimension to his thinking, and I am confident he will return with insights that will contribute meaningfully to our industry.”  

MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka (MLG), where Karunaratne has played a pivotal role, stands as the country’s largest integrated brand communications company. With eight independent strategic business verticals spanning Mainstream, Digital, Activations, MarTech, Media and Public Relations, MLG employs 110 staff and manages 111 brands across 33 categories. Its portfolio includes 80% of the top 10 and 50% of the top 20 most advertised categories in Sri Lanka, giving it prolific cross-category expertise.  

Ranked among the world’s top 100 agencies and APAC’s top 20, MLG has consistently been recognised as Sri Lanka’s Effie Agency of the Year and a local awards leader for over a decade. Operating as a full member affiliate of MullenLowe Worldwide, now part of Omnicom, the agency benefits from the global network’s unmatched knowledge and experience combined with local insight to deliver end-to-end brand solutions.  

Karunaratne’s scholarship not only highlights his personal dedication but also underscores the growing presence of Sri Lankan creativity on the international stage. His participation at Cannes Lions 2026 is expected to strengthen the country’s voice in global advertising conversations, paving the way for future talent to follow.