The campaign was honoured with the coveted Blue Dragon Award for ‘Best Campaign in Sri Lanka’ and a Gold Award for ‘Cause, Environment & Sustainability’, positioning AIA among the region’s most creative and socially impactful brands.
This regional success was built on strong local acclaim, with Suwa Walan sweeping multiple accolades at the Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2025, including a Gold Award in the ‘Event or Experiential Category’ and two Black Dragons for ‘Innovative Idea/Concept’ and Cause, Environment & Sustainability’ categories.
These achievements showcase how Sri Lankan creativity and cultural insight can resonate powerfully on the global stage.
The award-winning campaign, Suwa Walan, was developed to inspire healthier living and create lasting change in communities across Sri Lanka.
Executed together with AIA’s longstanding charity partner the Sri Lanka Cancer Society, it is a culturally rooted awareness campaign aimed at promoting early detection of breast cancer.
Drawing inspiration from the traditional Sri Lankan practice of examining clay pots (walan) for imperfections, the campaign cleverly connects this familiar ritual to the importance of breast self-examination.
The main tool used in this campaign was handcrafted clay pots embedded with symbolic lumps and visual cues, designed to simulate the experience of identifying irregularities.
This artistic and tactile approach encouraged women to engage with the concept of self-checks in a non-intimidating, relatable, and memorable way.
What set Suwa Walan apart was its innovative fusion of cultural storytelling, health education, and visual art.
By leveraging a deeply ingrained cultural metaphor, the campaign broke down barriers around breast health conversations and empowered women to take proactive steps in monitoring their well-being.
Today, this initiative has garnered multiple accolades for its creative excellence and social impact that resonates with local communities.
AIA’s Chief Marketing Officer, Sasith Bambaradeniya commented
“AIA Suwa Walan initiative has received many accolades since its launch, but this recognition stands out as one of its most significant achievements and a moment of national pride.
To be honoured among some of the most creative and impactful brands across Asia is a powerful testament to the strength of Sri Lankan creativity and purpose-driven storytelling.
We are truly proud to be recognised at such a prestigious awards ceremony, as it reflects our relentless pursuit of effective creativity, impactful engagement, and empathy-led marketing.
Looking ahead, AIA remains dedicated to delivering innovative campaigns that create meaningful change in our communities.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible team at AIA and to Loops Integrated, our creative agency partner, for making this success possible.”
For over 25 years, the prestigious Dragons of Asia programme has been recognising the most outstanding, results-driven marketing communications across the region.
As the programme evolved, it expanded to include country-specific editions in Malaysia and Pakistan, offering local marketing professionals a platform to showcase their work before competing at the pan-Asian level.
In 2024, the Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards were introduced to spotlight the creativity, strategic thinking, and impact of Sri Lankan campaigns.
Organised by the Accredited Advertising Agencies Association of Sri Lanka (4A’s SL) in collaboration with Dragons of Asia, this initiative aims to elevate Sri Lankan marketing to global standards and celebrate the excellence of local talent on an international stage.