Media OutReach
Sri Lanka Bar Smoke & Bitters Honoured With Coveted Michter’s Art Of Hospitality Award As Part Of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026
The acclaimed island bar becomes the first Sri Lankan venue to receive this prestigious hospitality award
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 June 2026 – Sri Lanka’s celebrated coastal venue Smoke & Bitters has been named winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award in the run-up to Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026.
Voted for by more than 300 members of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy, this award recognises an establishment that has delivered exceptional hospitality over the past 18 months, setting a new benchmark for guest experience across the region.
Located on Pehembiya Beach in Dikwella on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, Smoke & Bitters has risen steadily since opening in January 2020. In 2025, it ranked No.14 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars and No.67 on the extended list of The World’s 50 Best Bars, becoming the first bar in Sri Lanka to feature on the global ranking. The venue has also been named The Best Bar in Sri Lanka on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list for four consecutive years.
The brainchild of co-founders Don Ranasinghe and Lahiru Perera, Smoke & Bitters was created to showcase Sri Lanka’s culinary heritage and ingredients through a contemporary cocktail and dining experience. Their commitment to authenticity means all dishes are cooked using traditional wood fire – either smoked or chargrilled – as signified by ‘Smoke’ in the name, while ‘Bitters’ reflects bitters from indigenous Sri Lankan herbs and spices which dominate a cocktail menu inspired by myriad global cultures.
Beyond its culinary and cocktail philosophy, hospitality lies at the core of the Smoke & Bitters experience. Reflecting Sri Lanka’s culture of warmth and generosity, the team delivers service that is relaxed yet attentive, creating an easy-going beachfront setting where guests feel genuinely welcomed. This balance of informality and care has become a defining feature of the bar and underpins its recognition with the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award.
The drinks menu draws inspiration from early Tiki pioneers while integrating local ingredients and techniques. Signature serves such as the Bananarama combine smoked wild bee honey with Rockland arrack, banana peel, falernum and smoked hellfire bitters, reflecting the bar’s flair for layering smoke and spice. The playful Mai Chai blends Ceylon chai tea with rum, triple sec, spiced orgeat and chai syrup, lifted by elemakule tiki bitters, while Pani Like Dodang balances Sri Lankan sweet orange and gin with ginger honey, triple sec, salt and pepper, mint and orange bitters. The bar has become recognised for its ingredient-led cocktails built around seasonal local produce such as rambutan, mangosteen and woodapple, underscoring its commitment to celebrating Sri Lanka’s natural bounty.
Emma Sleight, Director of Content & Creative for Asia’s 50 Best Bars, says: “Smoke & Bitters has played a pivotal role in redefining perceptions of Sri Lanka’s bar scene. Its commitment to local ingredients, open-fire cooking and heartfelt hospitality creates an experience that feels both deeply personal and globally relevant. Congratulations to Don, Lahiru and the entire team on this well-deserved recognition.”
Don Ranasinghe & Lahiru Perera, Co-Founders of Smoke & Bitters say: “It’s honestly pretty crazy to receive the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award and see Sri Lankan hospitality being recognised on this level. We’ve always believed there’s something really special about the way people welcome and look after you on our island, so this means a huge amount not just to our team, but to the wider hospitality community in Sri Lanka as well. From day one, Smoke & Bitters has been about creating a warm, relaxed space genuinely rooted in our culture—so to be recognised for our hospitality is incredibly meaningful.”
Matt Magliocco, Executive Vice President for Michter’s, says: “Congratulations to Don Ranasinghe, Lahiru Perera, and the entire Smoke & Bitters team on winning the Art of Hospitality Award. Smoke & Bitters has become recognised as a destination for thoughtful hospitality, and we’re delighted to celebrate this well-deserved achievement.”
The Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award is the first of two special accolades to be announced ahead of the 11th edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier. The 2026 edition will culminate in a live awards ceremony at Wynn Palace, Macau on 28 July, featuring a red-carpet celebration and the official unveiling of The Best Bar in Asia 2026.
This year’s programme is designed to encourage dialogue and creative exchange within the drinks industry, with curated events such as the Bartenders’ Feast, highlighting Macau’s vibrant food and beverage culture, and Meet the Bartenders, an intimate media roundtable. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the 50 Best YouTube channel, allowing bar professionals and enthusiasts around the world to take part virtually.
About Asia’s 50 Best Bars
Asia’s 50 Best Bars is the first regional event of The World’s 50 Best Bars brand, created in 2016 with the purpose of showcasing the best and most innovative talent in the drinks industry in this region. The annual ranking is based on the votes of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy, comprising the most knowledgeable and travelled members of the bar industry, drinks media and mixology experts from across Asia. The Academy spans dozens of cities across the continent, reflecting the relative development and importance of bar scenes in different locations and the diversity of the drinking scene in Asia. Asia’s 50 Best Bars, The World’s 50 Best Bars, North America’s 50 Best Bars and Europe’s 50 Best Bars are owned and organised by William Reed, the group behind The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, The World’s 50 Best Hotels and The World’s 50 Best Vineyards.
About the host destination partners Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace
Wynn Macau is a luxury integrated resort in Macau with two iconic towers featuring a total of 1,014 spacious rooms, luxury retail, 11 food and beverage outlets, two spas, a salon and a pool. The resort proudly boasts three distinct entertainment experiences, including the choreographed Performance Lake, blending lofty plumes of water, gracefully choreographed, powerful LED lights and fire effects.
For more information, visit press.wynnmacau.com.
Wynn Palace is Wynn’s second luxury integrated resort. Located in the Cotai area, it features a 28-storey hotel with 1,706 exquisitely furnished rooms, versatile meeting facilities, renowned luxury retail, 12 food and beverage outlets, an upmarket food hall featuring 6 standalone restaurants and a variety of additional food offerings, Macau’s largest spa, a salon and a pool. The resort also features a variety of entertainment experiences, including the dazzling eight-acre Performance Lake, the unique SkyCab, an immersive entertainment center, largescale floral sculptures and an extensive collection of Western and Asian art displays.
For more information, visit press.wynnpalace.com.
About the Award Sponsor Michter’s:
Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Michter’s celebrates an extraordinarily rich heritage tracing back to 1753. The Michter’s team spares no expense in its efforts to produce the greatest American whiskey possible, with tremendous attention given to every step in the production process. Michter’s has received extensive critical acclaim for its line of Bourbon, Rye, Sour Mash, and American whiskeys.
Our Partners
- Wynn Resorts Macau – Official Host Destination Partner
- Perrier – Official Water Partner, sponsor of The Best Bar in Asia
- SevenRooms – Official Booking Platform Partner, sponsor of SevenRooms Best Bar Design Award
- Doordash – Official Delivery Partner
- Michter’s – Official American Whiskey Partner, sponsor of Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award
- Nikka Whisky – Official Whisky of the World Partner, sponsor of Nikka Highest Climber Award
- Ketel One – Official Vodka Partner, sponsor of Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award
- Three Cents – Official Mixers Partner, sponsor of Three Cents Best New Opening Award
- Siete Misterios – Official Mezcal Partner, sponsor of Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award
- NOAM – Official Beer Partner
- Roku Gin – Official Gin Partner, sponsor of Roku Industry Icon Award
- Altos Tequila – Official Tequila Partner, sponsor of Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award
- Cointreau – Official Orange Liqueur Partner, sponsor ceremonial scarves
- Rémy Martin – Official Cognac Partner, sponsor of Rémy Martin Legend of the List Award
- Langjiu – Official Baiju Partner
- Torres Brandy – Official Brandy Partner, sponsor of a Best in Destination Award
- Monkey Shoulder – Official Scotch Whisky Partner, sponsor of a Best in Destination Award
- Disaronno – Official Italian Liquor Partner, sponsor of a Best in Destination Award
- Amaro Lucano – Official Amaro Partner
- Campari – Official Bitters Partner
- Mancino Vermouth – Official Vermouth Partner
- Back to the Roots – Official Root Beer Liqueur Partner
Hashtag: #Asia’s50BestBars
http://www.worlds50bestbars.com/asia
https://bit.ly/50BestYouTubePR
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Through DaaS, enterprise customers can access drone equipment, trained personnel, mission execution, data collection and project deliverables without purchasing and maintaining a complete in-house drone system. The model extends ZenaTech’s business beyond equipment sales and enables the company to generate recurring service revenue from customers’ operational requirements.
ZenaTech reported revenue of CAD 8.4 million for the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 640% from CAD 1.13 million in the same period of 2025. DaaS contributed approximately CAD 7.8 million, accounting for around 93% of quarterly revenue.
In 2025, the company generated annual revenue of CAD 12.9 million, up 558% from approximately CAD 2 million in 2024. DaaS contributed approximately CAD 10.1 million during its first full year of operations, representing around 78% of total annual revenue.
Acquisitions Support Service Network Expansion
ZenaTech has expanded its DaaS operations through a combination of internal technology development and acquisitions. The acquired businesses bring existing customers, professional teams and local operating capabilities, while ZenaTech gradually introduces drones, automated data collection and AI-supported analytics into selected workflows.
In 2025, the company completed 20 acquisitions, including 19 businesses providing engineering data, facility inspection and related professional services, as well as one enterprise software company.
By June 2026, ZenaTech had completed its 24th DaaS-related acquisition and expanded its services into property cleaning, facility inspection and maintenance.
Through its ZenaDrone subsidiary, ZenaTech has also developed drone products for indoor and outdoor operations. The IQ Quad supports site data collection, engineering imagery and 3D modelling, while the IQ Nano uses barcode and RFID scanning to support inventory records, shelf inspections and indoor data collection.
The company’s reported revenue growth, acquisition activity and DaaS contribution provide investors following the AI and drone sectors with measurable indicators of how its technologies are being integrated into commercial operations and converted into service revenue.
Hashtag: #ZenaTech
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About ZenaTech
ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA) is a technology company specialising in AI-powered drones, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS solutions and related technologies. Through its ZenaDrone subsidiary, the company develops drone products and software for commercial applications including engineering data collection, agriculture, warehouse management, facility inspection and property maintenance. ZenaTech combines its technology capabilities with a growing professional service network to support the adoption of drone-based solutions across a range of operational environments.
Media OutReach
A Defining Milestone for Gene Solutions: SPOT-MAS Multi-Cancer Screening Test Receives U.S. FDA Breakthrough Device Designation
The proposed indications for use describe SPOT-MAS 10 as a qualitative in vitro diagnostic test performed on plasma derived from a single direct-draw venous whole blood specimen. The test analyzes circulating cell-free DNA methylation and fragmentomic signatures using a machine-learning-based algorithm to detect a cancer-associated signal. It is intended for use as an adjunctive screening test in asymptomatic adults aged 40 years and older to assist in detecting cancers within the scope of the assay. These include five common cancers — breast, lung, liver, colorectal and gastric cancers — and five aggressive, less common cancers that currently lack standard screening methods — ovarian, pancreatic, esophageal, endometrial and head & neck cancers.
SPOT-MAS has been developed through years of rigorous scientific research and clinical development. In March 2025, SPOT-MAS became the first multi-cancer screening blood test in Asia to complete a large prospective cohort validation, with the K-DETEK study evaluating more than 9,000 asymptomatic participants and demonstrating strong performance, including high specificity and the ability to identify cancer-associated signals across multiple cancer types.
Since then, SPOT-MAS has been used in more than 100,000 individuals in real-world practice, with consistent performance observed beyond controlled study settings. Real-world data were presented at ESMO Asia 2025 and were featured at ASCO Breakthrough 2026 in Singapore.
The platform is built on a multi-omic approach— integrating genetics, epigenetics, and fragmentomics — together with AI-driven analysis, large-scale prospective validation, growing real-world evidence and focus on cancer types with high clinical relevance in the regions where the test is deployed.
For the United States, Breakthrough Device Designation provides Gene Solutions with a prioritized channel of engagement with the FDA as the company advances its U.S. development and validation plans.
Looking ahead, Gene Solutions will continue to collaborate with academic, clinical, laboratory, commercial and strategic partners to support responsible adoption of SPOT-MAS in accordance with local regulations, clinical guidelines and best practices.
Important Regulatory Notice: SPOT-MAS 10 has received U.S. FDA Breakthrough Device Designation. Breakthrough Device Designation is not FDA approval, clearance or marketing authorization. The device remains subject to applicable FDA regulatory review requirements, and the designation does not guarantee future FDA approval, clearance or authorization.
For more information, visit https://spotmas.com.hk
Contact:
hk***@***********ns.com
Source: Gene Solutions Hong Kong Limited.
SPOTMAS_062026_04
Hashtag: #SPOTMAS
https://spotmas.com.hk/The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
St Francis Methodist School International Shares 2023–2024 WACE Outcomes and Student Journeys
Overview of the WACE Curriculum at SFMS
SFMS International is among a small number of institutions in Singapore offering the WACE curriculum and has delivered this programme for over 23 years. The WACE is a recognised senior secondary qualification awarded by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Western Australia. It prepares students for university admission both locally and internationally.
SFMS is also currently the only school in Singapore offering a Senior High Preparatory Pathway (WACE) for students in Years 9–10. This introduces students to the structure and expectations of the curriculum earlier, building familiarity with subject content and assessment formats before progressing to the senior years. Additionally, subject selection in Years 11A and 12A is structured to meet university entry requirements and reflect students’ academic interests.
Academic Outcomes and University Placements
In 2023, 8 out of 12 WACE graduates from SFMS International achieved ATAR scores above 90, meeting the eligibility criteria for universities such as the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The cohort’s top scorer, Wang Dawei, recorded an ATAR of 96.15 and enrolled at NTU to study Business and International Trading. In addition to local placements, graduates were admitted to international universities such as the University of Melbourne and Fudan University in China.
In 2024, 2 out of 8 graduates also attained ATAR scores above 90. The highest scorer, Youn Chae-Won, achieved an ATAR of 95.3. Her university placement is currently pending.
Student Journeys and Holistic Development
Students in the WACE programme at SFMS International engage in both academic and co-curricular activities as part of their overall learning experience. Recent graduates have taken part in service learning, subject specialisation, and personal reflection throughout their time in the pre-university programme.
Youn Chae-Won, the 2024 valedictorian, joined SFMS International from Korea in 2021. Over time, she adjusted to a new academic environment and explored subjects such as accounting, which influenced her interest in finance-related pathways. She also took part in various aspects of school life, including a service learning trip to Bintan in 2023, where students supported local sanitation efforts. Her involvement in both academic and co-curricular settings marked a broad engagement with school life during her time at SFMS.
Andrew Zhuang, who enrolled in SFMS International in 2019, pursued subjects such as Business Management, Accounting, and English as an Additional Language (EALD). Beyond academics, he was involved in community fundraising and joined the same Bintan service trip. He also attended weekly chapel sessions and received support from peers and teachers during a period of health-related absence.
These outcomes reflect the ongoing role of the WACE programme at SFMS International in supporting students through both academic pathways and broader educational experiences. Under the leadership of Principal Mr Lee Hak Boon, the school continues to emphasise academic planning, subject selection, and student wellbeing as part of its overall approach to pre-university education.
Hashtag: #StFrancisMethodistSchoolInternational
https://www.sfms.edu.sg/
https://www.facebook.com/sfms.singapore
https://www.instagram.com/sfms_sg/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_bb9hcNhAk7WgYBE_FI61A/featured
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About St Francis Methodist School International
Established in 1960, St Francis Methodist School International (SFMS) is an educational institution in Singapore that offers primary, secondary, and pre-university programmes. The school provides several academic pathways, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge IGCSE, and the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), preparing students for further studies in local and overseas institutions.
