This company profile of Lion Brewery Ceylon PLC reveals the unethical practices of one of the largest breweries in Sri Lanka. It provides examples of harmful methods across the categories of political interference, promotion, sabotage, manipulation, and deception – the Dubious five strategies.

INTRODUCTION

Founded in 1881, Lion Brewery Ceylon PLC is a leading brewery in Sri Lanka, producing the highest-selling beer, Lion Lager, in both Sri Lanka and the Maldives. 
In November 2014, Lion Brewery and its subsidiary Pearl Springs (Private) Limited purchased Millers Brewery, transferring production of the Millers brands to its facility in Biyagama.

The company produces a range of beers, including Lion Lager, the highest selling beer in Sri Lanka, Lion Stout, Lion Imperial, and Lion Strong, and exports its products to various international markets.

FACTS ABOUT LION BREWERY CEYLON PLC

  • Net revenue (2024): LKR109.76 billion
  • Gross profit: not available
  • Profit after tax (2024): LKR8.40 billion
  • Marketing spending: not available
  • Lobbying costs: not available
  • Number of employees (2024): more than 337
  • Market share: not available
  • Parent company: Ceylon Beverage Holdings PLC, owning 52% of the company. The Carlsberg Group owns 25% of Lion Breweries. Allan Gray, an investment management company from South Africa, owns 3%.

Brands

Beer

Flavoured beer / RTDs

International brands

  • Lion Lager
  • Lion Stout
  • Lion Strong
  • Lion Ice
  • Ryder’s Ginger Blast
  • Wild Apple
  • GB Export
  • Lion Craft
  • Carlsberg
  • Guinness
  • Somersby

MANAGEMENT TEAM AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Amal Cabraal, Chairman of the Board of Directors
  • Hari Selvanathan, Deputy Chairman
  • Rajiv Meewakkala, Director/Chief Executive Officer
  • Chandima Gunawardena, Non-Executive Director
  • Ranil Goonetilleke, Non-Executive Director
  • Krishna Selvanathan, Non-Executive Director
  • Susan Evans, Non-Executive Director/Independent Director
  • Sudarshan Selvanathan, Non-Executive Director
  • Stefano Clini, Non-Executive Director
  • Vivian Gun Ling Ling, Non-Executive Director
  • Ajay Baliga, Non-Executive Director
  • Channa Senaratne, Chief External Affairs Officer
  • Madushanka Ranatunga, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
  • Jehan Goonaratne, Chief Financial Officer
  • Sampath Perumbuli, Chief Information Officer
  • Nishantha Hulangamuwa, Chief International Business Officer
  • Eshantha Salgado, Chief Sustainability Officer
  • Rajiv Meewakkala, Chief Executive Officer
  • Niranjan Perera, Chief Executive Officer
  • Ruwandhi Thanthrige, Senior Vice President – Legal
  • Thusith Gunawarnasuriya, Chief Supply Chain Officer