
Cargills (Ceylon) Plc is a leading food and retail company in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1934, it has a rich history of over 88 years.
The company has a strong presence in the country with a vast network of supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants.
Cargills (Ceylon) Plc is a subsidiary of the Cargills Group, a family-owned business with a diverse portfolio of companies.
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Financial Information
Cargills (Ceylon) PLC reported an annual revenue of $434.1 million in 2025.
The company's revenue from food retailing has been steadily increasing over the years, reaching $182 billion in 2025. This is a significant jump from $87.15 billion in 2021.
Cargills (Ceylon) PLC generates revenue from various segments, including food retailing, FMCG, restaurant services, and others. Here's a breakdown of their sales by activity in billions of dollars:
Annual Revenue
The annual revenue of Cargills Ceylon PLC is a significant indicator of the company's financial health. The annual revenue was $434.1 million in 2025.
Cargills Ceylon PLC generates revenue through various activities, including food retailing, FMCG, restaurants, and others. The breakdown of sales by activity shows a steady increase in revenue over the years.
Here's a snapshot of the company's sales by activity in billions of rupees:
The company's revenue from food retailing has seen a significant increase, from 87.15 billion rupees in 2021 to 182 billion rupees in 2025.
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Banking
Cargills Bank received its provisional license to operate in September 2011.
This was a significant milestone for the company, but it wasn't until 2014 that they were fully licensed to operate domestic and offshore banking business.
On 21 January 2014, Cargills Bank received its licence to operate, and just a few months later, on 30 June 2014, the bank was ceremonially opened.
Here are the key dates for Cargills Bank's banking operations:
- September 2011: Provisional license issued
- 21 January 2014: Licence to operate domestic and offshore banking business
- 30 June 2014: Bank ceremonially opened
Operations and Structure
Cargills (Ceylon) has a well-established operations and structure in place. The company is headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The company's structure is led by a board of directors, which oversees the overall strategy and direction of the business. This includes the chairman and managing director, who are responsible for making key decisions.
Cargills (Ceylon) has a strong presence in the Sri Lankan market, with a network of over 800 outlets across the country.
Group Companies
Cargills (Ceylon) PLC has a number of group companies that operate in various sectors.
Cargills Foods Co. (Pvt) Ltd. is a key group company that focuses on food retail.
Cargills Foods Co. (Pvt) Ltd. operates supermarkets and is headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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Food Manufacturing
Cargills is involved in food manufacturing through various sub-brands. One of these sub-brands is Cargills Magic, which is a well-known food product in Sri Lanka.
Cargills Kist is another sub-brand that offers a range of food products. I've noticed that Cargills Kist is quite popular among locals.
Supremo is a sub-brand that specializes in food manufacturing. It's great to see a company like Cargills investing in different sub-brands to cater to diverse customer needs.
Cargills Finest is a sub-brand that offers high-quality food products. This is evident from the variety of products they have under this brand.
Milca and Cargills Lanka Milk are two other sub-brands that fall under the food manufacturing category. These brands are a testament to Cargills' commitment to providing a wide range of food products to their customers.
Here's a list of Cargills' sub-brands involved in food manufacturing:
- Cargills Magic
- Cargills Kist
- Supremo
- Cargills Finest
- Milca
- Cargills Lanka Milk
Leadership and Ownership
Cargills (Ceylon) PLC has a diverse Board of Directors, with a mix of experienced individuals and new additions. Louis Page serves as the Chairman, a position he likely takes seriously given the company's history and reputation.
The Board consists of seven members, including Valentine Page, Joseph Page, and C. Indira Malwatte, all of whom are Directors/Board Members. Asite Drupath B. Talwatte and Dushni Weerakoon joined the Board in 2020 and 2023, respectively, while Ganesan Ampalavanar also joined in 2023.
Here is a brief overview of the Board members:
The company is also majority-owned by C T HOLDINGS PLC, with a significant stake of 71.18%.
Holdings
Cargills (Ceylon) PLC is a major player in the Sri Lankan market, with a significant stake in various companies.
KOTMALE HOLDINGS PLC holds a 99.51% stake in Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, with a valuation of $71.267 billion.
The Employees' Provident Fund (Sri Lanka) has a 3.263% stake in Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, worth $22 million.
Valentine Page and M M Page are also prominent shareholders, with stakes of 7.884% and 2.541% respectively.
Here's a breakdown of the major shareholders:
These shareholders have a significant impact on the leadership and direction of Cargills (Ceylon) PLC.
Board of Directors Composition
The Board of Directors composition is a crucial aspect of any company's leadership and ownership structure. Cargills (Ceylon) PLC has a diverse group of directors who bring their expertise and experience to the table.
The Chairman of the Board is Louis Page, who has been holding this position. Valentine Page and Joseph Page also serve as directors, bringing their skills and knowledge to the table.
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C. Indira Malwatte joined the Board in 2020, bringing her expertise to the table. Asite Drupath B. Talwatte also joined the Board in 2020, and has been contributing to the company's growth ever since.
Dushni Weerakoon and Ganesan Ampalavanar joined the Board in 2023, bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to the company. Both are serving until 2023-12-31.
Here is a list of the current Board of Directors:
Who is the MD?
Arjuna Kumarasinghe is the Managing Director of Cargills Ceylon PLC. He holds a key leadership position in the company.
Infrastructure and Location
Cargills (Ceylon) has a strong presence in Sri Lanka, with its headquarters located in Colombo, the country's commercial capital. Cargills is one of the largest retailers in Sri Lanka.
The company's extensive network of stores and supermarkets is strategically located in major cities and towns across the country, making it easily accessible to customers.
Geographical Sales Breakdown
Geographical Sales Breakdown is a crucial aspect of understanding how businesses like Cargills (Ceylon) PLC operate. Their sales are primarily concentrated in Sri Lanka.

The data shows a steady increase in sales over the years, with a notable jump from 113 billion in 2021 to 137 billion in 2022. This indicates a growing market for Cargills in Sri Lanka.
Here's a breakdown of their sales in Sri Lanka over the years:
This consistent growth suggests that Cargills is expanding its market share in Sri Lanka, which is a significant development for the company.
York Street Building, Colombo
The York Street Building in Colombo is a significant landmark in the city, with a rich history dating back to 1684.
The building was originally the residence of Captain Pieter Sluysken, the former Dutch military commander of Galle.
It was later occupied by the first British Governor of Ceylon, Sir Frederick North, who lived there briefly before moving to a villa in Hulftsdorp.
The building was acquired by Cargills in 1896, and construction of the current building commenced in 1902, designed by Edward Skinner and built by Walker Sons and Company.
A foundation stone from 1684 and a wooden statue of Minerva are preserved by the ground floor lift, serving as a reminder of the building's past occupants.
By 1909, Cargills employed a staff of 32 Europeans and 600 hands, indicating the company's growing presence in the city.
Industry and Classification

Cargills Ceylon PLC is classified under various industry codes. The NAICS codes for Cargills Ceylon PLC are 11, 311, 31, 3121, 31211, and 312.
These codes indicate that Cargills Ceylon PLC operates in the retail trade sector, specifically in the food and beverage industry. Cargills Ceylon PLC's NAICS codes suggest a diverse range of business activities.
The SIC codes for Cargills Ceylon PLC are 20 and 202, which further support the company's classification as a food and beverage retailer.
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Questions
Cargills (Ceylon) is a well-established company in Sri Lanka, with a history dating back to 1934. It was founded by H.A. Cargill, an American businessman.
The company started as a small trading business and gradually expanded its operations to become a leading player in the Sri Lankan market. Cargills (Ceylon) has a strong presence in the country's retail and food sectors.
Cargills (Ceylon) has a significant market share in Sri Lanka, with a wide range of products and services offered to its customers. Its flagship store, the Cargills Food City, is a popular destination for shoppers.
Cargills (Ceylon) has a strong commitment to quality and customer service, which has contributed to its success in the market.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cargills a Sri Lankan company?
Yes, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC is a Sri Lankan company with a presence in various sectors. Headquartered in Sri Lanka, it operates across multiple industries.
What is the vision of Cargills Ceylon PLC?
Cargills Ceylon PLC's vision is to serve the rural community and stakeholders through food and related businesses, focusing on reducing living costs, enhancing youth skills, and bridging regional disparities. Our goal is to make a positive impact on people's lives through our core values of food with love.
How many outlets does Cargills Food City have?
Cargills Food City has 509 outlets across the country. Find your nearest store and discover the convenience of shopping with us.
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