Sri Lanka 

The Ceylon Brewery was the first brewery in Sri Lanka.  It was established in 1881 by Sri Samuel Backer as a cottage industry, catering for the British colonial tea plantations in the hill country retreat of Nuwara Eliya. With its cool climate and natural spring water, Nuwara Eilya was the ideal location for a brewery. It acquired limited liability company status in 1911.   

In 1993, the Ceylon Brewery became a subsidiary of Carson Cumberbatch & Co Ltd, a diversified group of Sri Lankan businesses. Considerable re-building was undertaken and the brewery was developed from a family company into the leader and creator of the national beer industry.

Today, the Lion Brewery Ceylon Limited is located just outside the capital Colombo. It is equipped with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities that enable it to fulfil the increasing demand and export beer to new and current export markets, such as England, Japan and Australia.  

Lion Brewery is the market leader with a share of 86%. All five brands in its portfolio - Lion Lager, Carlsberg, Carlsberg Special Brew, Lion Stout  and Strong Beer - have a substantial market share. However, the extremely high excise tax on beer means Sri Lankan consumers are moving towards spirits.

KEY DATES:

1881 Ceylon Brewery established
1911 Ceylon Brewery becomes limited liability company
1993 Ceylon Brewery becomes subsidiary of Carson Cumberbatch & Co. Ltd.
1996 Carlsberg acquires shareholding in Ceylon Brewery

KEY FACTS: