A significant achievement by Sri Lankan printer Sathis Abeywickrama has been recognised at Flexo Summit Asia 2026, where he was honoured as a ‘Flexo Avenger’ for his contribution to the flexographic printing industry.
The recognition, reported by Daily FT on 20 August 2026, places a Sri Lankan professional within an important regional industry forum dedicated to the development of modern printing, packaging and labelling technologies. It also demonstrates the extent to which Sri Lankan expertise continues to be acknowledged in specialised professional fields beyond the country’s shores.
Recognition at a major industry forum
Flexo Summit Asia 2026 brought together professionals connected with flexographic printing, packaging production and converting, a term used to describe the manufacture and processing of materials such as films, papers and other flexible substrates.
Sathis Abeywickrama was recognised during a session titled “Flexo Avengers: Converters who Changed the Game”. The session was designed to highlight individuals whose work has contributed to the advancement of flexographic printing and whose professional decisions have helped shape the direction of the industry.
The title of ‘Flexo Avenger’ carries particular significance because flexographic printing is a highly specialised field in which technical knowledge, production discipline and an understanding of changing packaging requirements are all essential. Recognition within such a setting indicates that Abeywickrama’s contribution has been considered meaningful by professionals engaged with the wider development of flexography in the region.
An AI-generated visual interpretation of the precision processes involved in flexographic printing.
Understanding flexographic printing
Flexographic printing, commonly known as flexo, is a modern high-speed printing process used extensively for packaging and labels. Unlike conventional printing methods that use rigid plates or flat surfaces, flexography employs flexible relief plates containing raised images. Ink is transferred from these plates onto a moving material, allowing large volumes of packaging or labels to be produced efficiently.
The process is particularly suitable for materials that need to move continuously through a press, including flexible plastic films, paper, foil and other packaging substrates. In a typical production sequence, ink is carefully metered, transferred to the printing plate and then applied to the chosen material as it passes through the press. Several colours can be printed in sequence, with precise registration being required so that text, images and design elements remain correctly aligned.
The method has become instrumental to the packaging sector because it combines speed, adaptability and efficient production. It is used for a broad range of everyday products, including food packaging, beverage labels, household goods, personal-care products and retail materials.
Although the finished package may appear simple, the process behind it requires considerable attention to detail. Ink consistency, drying, colour control, material handling and machine calibration must be managed carefully, particularly when high production speeds are involved. The quality of the final product is therefore dependent not only on the machinery being used, but also on the experience and judgement of the professionals responsible for the operation.
A contribution with wider significance
The recognition of Sathis Abeywickrama is significant because it reflects the value of specialised Sri Lankan expertise in an international industry environment. Printing and packaging are often assessed through the finished product, while the technical knowledge behind that product remains largely unseen. Industry honours such as the ‘Flexo Avenger’ recognition help bring that professional contribution into view.
Sri Lanka has long maintained links with printing, publishing and manufacturing, with the sector supporting newspapers, books, commercial materials, labels and product packaging. As packaging requirements have become more sophisticated, the printing industry has also been required to respond to higher expectations relating to colour accuracy, production efficiency, design quality and material performance.
Within this evolving environment, experienced practitioners are required to understand both the technical and commercial dimensions of printing. The work involves more than operating machinery; it includes recognising the needs of manufacturers, brand owners and consumers, while ensuring that production remains reliable and commercially practical.
Abeywickrama’s recognition at Flexo Summit Asia 2026 therefore represents more than an individual professional milestone. It offers a positive example of a Sri Lankan industry specialist being acknowledged in a field that is closely connected with international manufacturing and consumer markets.
An AI-generated illustration representing professional recognition within the international printing and packaging sector.
The importance of packaging and labels
Flexographic printing occupies an important position within modern commerce because packaging performs several functions at the same time. It protects products during transport and storage, provides information to consumers, supports brand identity and helps products to stand out in competitive retail environments.
Labels and packaging must often combine practical information with attractive design. Product names, ingredients, instructions, barcodes, regulatory details and promotional elements may all need to be printed clearly on a limited surface. The process must also accommodate different materials, shapes and production volumes.
High-speed flexographic printing is well suited to these requirements because it can be adapted for continuous production and a variety of substrates. Its role has become particularly important as manufacturers seek efficient methods for producing packaging at scale while maintaining consistent visual quality.
The industry is also being shaped by changing expectations concerning sustainability, resource efficiency and responsible production. These developments are encouraging printing professionals and packaging manufacturers to examine the use of materials, inks, energy and production waste. While the specific contribution recognised at the summit relates to flexographic printing, the wider industry continues to evolve through innovation and technical improvement.
Sri Lankan expertise on the international stage
International recognition can provide valuable visibility for professionals working in specialised industries, particularly when their contribution may not be widely known outside technical circles. Acknowledgement at a regional summit allows professional achievements to be placed within a broader context, where ideas, methods and experience can be shared across national boundaries.
For Sri Lankan professionals, such recognition also contributes to a broader and more balanced understanding of the skills developed within the Sri Lankan community. Success is often associated with highly visible fields such as medicine, information technology, education, sport or the arts; however, manufacturing, printing and packaging also require substantial knowledge, creativity and leadership.
The recognition of Sathis Abeywickrama as a ‘Flexo Avenger’ highlights one of these less frequently discussed areas. It demonstrates that Sri Lankan professionals are contributing to industries that support global supply chains and the presentation of products in markets across the region and beyond.
The achievement is also relevant to younger people considering careers in technical and industrial fields. Modern printing is a technologically advanced discipline, combining engineering, materials science, colour management, design and production planning. Greater public awareness of the sector could help encourage new interest in vocational education, manufacturing and specialised industrial careers.
An AI-generated image illustrating the finished packaging applications supported by flexographic printing.
A positive professional milestone
The honour bestowed upon Sathis Abeywickrama at Flexo Summit Asia 2026 represents a positive milestone for Sri Lanka’s printing industry and for Sri Lankan professional achievement more broadly. It recognises the contribution of an individual within a specialised field while also drawing attention to the importance of printing technology in contemporary business.
Flexographic printing remains closely connected with the everyday products used by households and businesses, from packaged food and beverages to labels and retail goods. Behind these products stands an extensive network of technical specialists, manufacturers and converters whose work is essential to modern production.
Through its coverage of positive stories involving Sri Lankans in Sri Lanka and around the world, eLanka continues to highlight achievements that deserve wider recognition. The story of Sathis Abeywickrama offers an instrumental reminder that Sri Lankan expertise can be found across an increasingly diverse range of professional and industrial sectors.
Source: https://www.ft.lk/
This article was written based on the source https://www.ft.lk/, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.
