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Empowering Communities,
Nurturing Local Production, &
Creating Value

SCROLL
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Providing Affordable Nutrition &
Goodness for the Nation

1844
Mr. William Milne and Mr. David Sime Cargill opened a general warehouse, import and wholesale business in Colombo, known as the ‘House of Cargills’.
1946
The House of Cargills officially became incorporated as a Public Limited Liability Company.
1981
Ceylon Theatres acquired controlling interest in Cargills, and Mr. Albert A. Page was appointed as Managing Director and would go on to become the Chairman of Cargills the following year.
1983
Cargills established its first supermarket at Staple Street in Colombo, under the ‘Cargills FoodCity’. brand
1993
The company invested in its first manufacturing facility with the acquisition of the Goldi meat processing business.
1996
Cargills obtained the franchise license of the vastly popular international Quick Service Restaurant chain ‘KFC’ and opened it to the Sri Lankan market.
1999
Cargills started the farmer outgrower program, directly purchasing fresh produce from the farmer community. The first Cargills fruit and vegetable collection center was established in Hanguranketha, in the Central Province of Sri Lanka.
2002
Cargills entered the dairy industry with the acquisition of the Walls ice cream facility in Banduragoda and launched the dairy ice cream brand ‘Magic’. Cargills started the dairy farmer outgrower program to support the collection of fresh milk. Cargills also diversified into agri-processing with the acquisition of the food brand ‘KIST’ that same year.
2008
The Cargills Sarubima Fund was established to support the farming community and contribute towards their well-being.
2010
Cargills acquired the dairy brand ‘Kotmale’ to further expand the dairy business and entered the confectionery market with the acquisition of ‘Diana Biscuits’ which was rebranded as ‘KIST’ biscuits.
2013
Taking a step further to introduce international cuisines to the local market, Cargills secured the franchise license for TGI Fridays and established the first restaurant in Colombo.
2013
The Company commenced operations of the Cargills Square mall in Jaffna.
2014
Cargills Bank officially commenced business operations, marking our entry into the financial service sector.
2017
Kotmale launched Sri Lanka’s first fully integrated dairy processing facility in Banduragoda.
2018
Cargills unveiled its first gourmet specialty supermarket ‘Cargills Food Hall’ at the Colombo City Centre Shopping Mall.
2019
The Cargills Foundation was established to oversee the social development initiatives of the Group.
2019
Launched the Kotmale cheese processing facility in Hatton.
2019
The 400th FoodCity outlet was opened.
2020
Launched Cargills Online, the Group’s ecommerce platform to cater to a growing online grocery market.
2022
Launched the Cargills AAPI eLearning platform for training and development of team members.
2022
Opened the 500th Cargills Food City Outlet.
2023
Opened the state-of-art distribution center in Katana.
2024
Initial Public Offering of Cargills Bank PLC on the Colombo Stock Exchange
2024
Opened the 2nd convenience food facility of the Group in Ja-Ela

A Look Back Into Our History

Since its inception in 1844, Cargills has evolved remarkably, navigating through various business models to cement its position in Sri Lanka's market. Initially a general warehouse store, it transitioned into an upmarket department store before ultimately becoming a premier food company. Today, Cargills serves a diverse consumer base across the nation, consistently delivering quality and value. Its journey from a modest beginning to a powerhouse in the food industry is a testament to its adaptability and commitment to excellence. The company has successfully leveraged its long history to grow stronger and more influential with each passing year.

Early years (1844-1890)

On the 08th of August 1844, William Milne and David Sime Cargill founded “Milne and Company”, a general warehouse business in the heart of Colombo, Fort. In 1850, the company was renamed “Milne Cargills & Co”, with the head office located in Fort and two other branches in Kandy and Galle. 1860 marked the retirement of William Milne from the business as he returned to Glasgow to establish a commercial enterprise in his homeland. Following Milne’s retirement, D. S. Cargill took sole ownership of the company until he was joined by David Mackenzie. The change in leadership led to the firm’s title being altered to “Cargill & Co”, with both Cargill and Mackenzie at the helm.

The Harrods of the East
(1890-1927)

In 1890, the company acquired Medical Hall from Maitland & Co. Ltd., transitioning to focus on pharmaceuticals. Later rebranded as "Sime & Co," it was formally registered as a Limited Liability Company in 1896 under Chairman David Sime Cargill. The business expanded to Nuwara Eliya and renovated its headquarters in 1902, converting it into a high-end department store for the wealthy. After Cargill's death in 1904, his estates became private limited companies. Walter Hamilton succeeded him as Chairman, serving until 1927, backed by a series of skilled General Managers.

Going public (1946-1983)

In 1946, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC was formally established as a Public Limited Liability Company, laying the foundation for its future ventures. Fast forward to 1981, a significant turning point occurred when Ceylon Theatres purchased a majority stake in the company. This strategic move was led by the forward-thinking Albert A. Page, who assumed the role of Managing Director that same year. His leadership was quickly recognized, and he was elevated to the position of Chairman in 1982. Under Page's visionary guidance, the company underwent a transformative period, with both organizations benefiting from synergies and shared expertise. This pivotal acquisition and subsequent leadership change set the stage for a new era of growth and diversification for Cargills (Ceylon) PLC.

DID YOU KNOW?

The iconic Cargills building in Colombo has a rich history that stretches back to notable figures of colonial times. Originally, it served as the private home of Captain Pieter Sluysken, who was in charge of the Dutch-held Galle Fort. The building was also the residence of Sir Frederick North, the inaugural Governor of Ceylon, which is now known as Sri Lanka. Over the years, the House of Cargills has transformed into a significant commercial landmark and was once even referred to as the "Harrods of the East." It has garnered praise as the "Finest of its kind East of the Suez," a testament to its prominence and grandeur. This storied structure has been a part of Colombo's landscape for well over a century, symbolizing a blend of historical and modern influences.

OUR VISION

To be a global corporate role model in community – friendly national development

OUR MISSION

Serve the rural community, our customers and all other stakeholders, through our core business – food with love – and other related businesses, based on the three main principles of:

  • Reducing the cost of living
  • Enhancing youth skills
  • Bridging regional disparity

by enhancing local and global markets

OUR BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY

CSR is our Business

We focus on community development and contributing towards a better Sri Lanka.

  • By building markets for farmers and SMEs
  • By creating opportunities for the youth across the country
  • By sourcing locally
  • By investing in manufacturing facilities to promote local production
  • By building confidence of the next generation of Sri Lankans through education
  • By investing in providing affordable nutrition

We believe by building the community, our business will succeed too.

OUR LEADERSHIP ------

Cargills Board of Directors

Information and profiles of the Chairman,Deputy Chairman, and Board of Directors,as well as the Board Committees of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC

CHAIRMAN/ NON- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Louis Page

Mr. Louis Page is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK). He is the Chairman of the CT Holdings Group of Companies. He has also hel...

Learn More

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN/ CEO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ranjit Page

Mr. Ranjit Page was an instrumental part of the team that transformed Cargills. He led the team in establishing the Cargills business model, expanding into food retailing, food manufacturing, restaurants, and banking. Today, he is the Deputy Chairman/Managing Director...

Learn More

MANAGING DIRECTOR/ DEPUTY CEO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Imtiaz Abdul Wahid

Mr. Imtiaz Abdul Wahid is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK). He has been involved in the operations of the compa...

Learn More

Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director

Ganesan Ampalavanar

Mr. Ganesan Ampalavanar served the Nestle Group for 32 years and was a three-time CEO (Nestle Indonesia, Nestle Vietnam, Nestle Lanka). Mr. Ampalavanar is a Management (Accounting & Finance) graduate from the University of Science, Malaysia, and has also attended...

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NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Joseph Page

Mr. Joseph Page is the Deputy Chairman/Managing Director of C T Land Development PLC. He is also a Director of C T Holdings PLC, Ceylon Theatres (Pvt.) Ltd. and C T Properties Limited. Prior to joining C T Land Development PLC, he was Executive Dire...

Learn More

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dushni Weerakoon

Dr. Dushni Weerakoon is the Executive Director of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) and has extensive experience in public policy engagements having served the Government of Sri Lanka in various capacities, including currently as an Appointed Member of the Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka...

Learn More

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Indira Malwatte

Mrs. Indira Malwatte was appointed a Director of the Company on 1 February 2020. She holds a Combined Degree in Economics and Geography from the University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka and was the first woman Chairperson of the EDB. She commence...

Learn More

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Asite Talwatte

Mr. Asite Talwatte was appointed a director of the company on 28 August 2020 and was appointed the Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee, Related Party Transactions Review Committee, and Remuneration Committee on 01 Janua...

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NON-INDEPENDENT - NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Tara Page

Ms. Tara Page holds an MA in Politics and Education from Columbia University, NY. She is an experienced public school educator, having served as an English teacher, literacy coach, and restorative justice consultant in underserved communities across...

Learn More

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Priyan Edirisinghe

Mr. Priyan Edirisinghe is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience in private sector and in the professional practice. He is presently Managing Partner of Baker Tilly Edirisinghe & Co., Chartered Accountants, one of the top ten audit, tax, and consul..

Learn More

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dilantha Jayawardhana

Mr. Dilantha Jayawardhana was appointed to the Board of Directors on 1 July 2021, as an Executive Director. Previously, he served as the Group’s Chief Financial Officer. He holds an MBA from the University of Lincoln, UK and is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Char...

Learn More

OUR LEADERSHIP ------

Committees of Board of Directors

Information and profiles of the Chairman,Deputy Chairman, and Board of Directors,as well as the Board Committees of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC

The Audit Committee
  • Asite Talwatte (Chairman)
  • Indira Malwatte
  • Dr Dushni Weerakoon
Remuneration Committee
  • Asite Talwatte (Chairman)
  • Indira Malwatte
  • Dr Dushni Weerakoon
Related Party Transactions Review Committee
  • Asite Talwatte (Chairman)
  • Indira Malwatte
  • Dr Dushni Weerakoon

ABOUT US ------

Awards won by
Cargills Group

The Cargills business model has received local and international recognition and awards for its impact on communities across Sri Lanka

Explore More Awards
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SLIM KANTAR People's Award for 'Supermarket Brand of the Year'

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Your Image

Cargills FoodCity Crowned Peoples FMCG Retail Brand of the Year 2021

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SLIM Restart Resilience Awards 2020

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Top Ten Most Admired Companies of Sri Lanka 2021

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  • No. 40, York Street, Colombo 01
  • contact@cargillsceylon.com
  • +94 11 242 7777
  • +94 11 242 7500

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CHAIRMAN/ NON- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

L R Page

Mr. Louis R. Page is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK). He is the Chairman of the CT Holdings Group of Companies. He has also held a number of Board and Senior Management positions at the highest level in overseas public companies and public institutions.

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN/ CEO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ranjit Page

Mr. Ranjit Page was an instrumental part of the team that transformed Cargills. He led the team in establishing the Cargills business model, expanding into food retailing, food manufacturing, restaurants, and banking. Today, he is the Deputy Chairman/Managing Director of CT Holdings PLC and Deputy Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC. He possesses over 40 years of management experience.

MANAGING DIRECTOR/ DEPUTY CEO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

M I Abdul Wahid

Mr. M. Imtiaz Abdul Wahid is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK). He has been involved in the operations of the company in an executive capacity at different intervals progressively at higher levels (appointed Director 1997 and Deputy Managing Director in 2001) spanning a period of over 30 years, leaving the services of the company for employment abroad on two occasions in between whereby he also gained valuable exposure holding a number of senior management positions in overseas companies. He was appointed Managing Director/ Deputy CEO of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC in May 2010, and appointed a Director of the holding company C T Holdings PLC in December 2016.

Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director

Ganesan Ampalavanar

Mr. Ganesan Ampalavanar served the Nestle Group for 32 years and was a three-time CEO (Nestle Indonesia, Nestle Vietnam, Nestle Lanka). Mr. Ampalavanar is a Management (Accounting & Finance) graduate from the University of Science, Malaysia, and has also attended postgraduate programs from the London Business School, U.K., and the International Institute of Management Development, Lausanne, Switzerland.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Joseph Page

Mr. Joseph C. Page is the Deputy Chairman/Managing Director of C T Land Development PLC. He is also a Director of C T Holdings PLC, Ceylon Theatres (Pvt.) Ltd. and C T Properties Limited. Prior to joining C T Land Development PLC, he was Executive Director of Millers Limited. He has over 35 years of management experience in the private sector.

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dushni Weerakoon

Dr. Dushni Weerakoon is the Executive Director of the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) and has extensive experience in public policy engagements having served the Government of Sri Lanka in various capacities, including currently as an Appointed Member of the Monetary Policy Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and a Director on the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI). She has wide experience as an Independent Non-Executive Director on the boards of corporate entities, as a consultant to international organisations such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the World Trade Organisation, and has written and published widely on macroeconomic policy, regional trade integration and international economics. Dr. Weerakoon holds a BSc in Economics with First Class Honours from the Queen’s University of Belfast, U.K., and an MA and PhD in Economics from the University of Manchester, U.K.

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Indira Malwatte

Ms. Indira Malwatte was appointed a Director of the Company on 1 February 2020. She holds a Combined Degree in Economics and Geography from the University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka and was the first woman Chairperson of the EDB. She commenced her career in international marketing at the Ceylon Tea Promotion Bureau in Tokyo, Japan and joined the Export Development Board (EDB) in June 1981. She has over 40 years of experience in serving the Government both internationally and locally as a Top Export Promotion Professional. She has hands on experience in the private sector, exporting perishable produce and entering new and demanding markets where the Company had the honor of being the first Agricultural entity in Sri Lanka to be GlobalGAP certified. She has in-depth knowledge on multi sectors ranging from Industrial, Agricultural, Services, Supply Chain Management and International Marketing. She has served as the focal point on a number of World Bank, ITC, GIZ, CBI and JETRO export development projects. She served on the Boards of the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, National Design Centre, Development Holdings Limited and Chairperson of the National Packaging Centre and the Mushroom Development Centre. She was a Member of the Agency for International Trade responsible for trade negotiations and developing the national trade and export strategies of Sri Lanka and a Member of the Task Force on FDI and Exports. In July 2016 she was internationally recognized for her long years of service in Business & Commerce by the Women’s International Film & Television Showcase (The Wifts) with The Wifts Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award 2016-Business in London, UK. She was the first Sri Lankan to be bestowed with this honor. She was also recognized by Zonta Sri Lanka with the "Woman of Achievement" Award on Management in September 2017 and Women in Management Top 50 Professional & Career Woman Gold 2018 State & Government Sector in 2018. She was featured on the "The 2018 A – List of Sri Lanka Business People" by the LMD Magazine. Currently she is a Non-Executive Director of Lanka Shipping and Logistics Ltd, and engaged in Consultancies on International Trade and developing the SME Sector.

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Asite Talwatte

Mr. Asite Talwatte was appointed a director of the company on 28 August 2020 and was appointed the Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee, Related Party Transactions Review Committee, and Remuneration Committee on 01 January 2021. Mr. Talwatte serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director on Boards of several listed companies.

Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director

Tara Page

Ms. Tara Page holds an MA in Politics and Education from Columbia University, NY. She is an experienced public school educator, having served as an English teacher, literacy coach, and restorative justice consultant in underserved communities across Brooklyn, NY, for 15 years. She has also served as a lead teacher and staff advisor for system-involved young men in Queens, NY. Additionally, she is a founding board member and youth fellowship director of Brooklyn FAM, a community-building non-profit arts organization.

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Priyan Edirisinghe

Mr. Priyan Edirisinghe is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience in private sector and in the professional practice. He is presently Managing Partner of Baker Tilly Edirisinghe & Co., Chartered Accountants, one of the top ten audit, tax, and consulting firms in Sri Lanka. He is a fellow member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (FCA), and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK (ACIM). He also holds an MBA from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. Mr. Edirisinghe currently serves as an Independent, Non-Executive Director of C T Holdings PLC and is a member of the Audit and Related Party Transactions Review Committees and he is an Independent, Non-Executive Director of C T Land Development PLC and is the Chairman of the Audit and Related Party Transactions Review Committees.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dilantha Jayawardhana

Mr. Dilantha Jayawardhana was appointed to the Board of Directors on 1 July 2021, as an Executive Director. Previously, he served as the Group’s Chief Financial Officer. He holds an MBA from the University of Lincoln, UK and is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, as well as an Associate Member of the Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka.

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  • +94 11 242 7777
  • +94 11 242 7500
  • contact@cargillsceylon.com
  • No. 40, York Street, Colombo 01