Sri Lankan student chef Rumira Piyasiri, who secured the bronze medal at the 12th Young Chef Olympiad 2026 held in India, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, on the morning of February 8.
The Young Chef Olympiad, regarded as the world’s largest international culinary competition for student chefs, was organised by the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), India, in collaboration with the International Hospitality Council, London. The competition took place in Kolkata from February 1 to 6, with participants representing 50 countries.
Lecturer Emeshika de Silva travelled to India to mentor and guide Rumira Piyasiri during the competition. Both returned to the island at 6.50 a.m. from New Delhi on Indian Airlines flight AI-277.
They were received at the airport by the Principal of the Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management, affiliated with SLIIT, along with a group of lecturers, administrators, and Rumira Piyasiri’s parents, noting the country’s pride in the student’s international achievement.
