As of July 2025, Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC, Sri Lanka’s market leader, has joined the renowned VLB Berlin, one of the world’s leading centers for brewing science and education.
The roots of Lion date back to 1881, when one of the first commercial breweries in Ceylon was established. Throughout the 20th century, the company grew steadily through expansion and innovation. In 1996, the brewery was renamed Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC following strategic investments from Carson Cumberbatch PLC, one of Sri Lanka’s largest conglomerates, and the Danish Carlsberg Group. Today, Lion Brewery is listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, with Ceylon Beverage Holdings PLC (part of the Carson Cumberbatch Group) as its major shareholder. The company employs around 360 people and generates an annual turnover of approximately € 350 million. Lion operates a state-of-the-art brewery in Biyagama, near Colombo, with an annual production capacity of 2 million hl. In December 2024, the company further advanced its innovation drive with the launch of the Lion Innovation Center for Craft Brews, a dedicated hub for the research and development of specialty beers to meet the evolving preferences of consumers.
Lion Brewery is the undisputed leader of Sri Lanka’s beer industry. Beyond its home market, the company has steadily expanded its global presence, and today Lion beers are available in more than 15 international markets, including Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Canada. The company’s wide-ranging portfolio is produced under the Lion, Carlsberg, and Guinness master brands. Its flagship Lion range includes Lion Lager, Lion Stout, and Lion Strong, along with Carlsberg and Guinness brewed locally for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The latest chapter at Lion is its Craft range, which reflects the rhythm of the island, the richness of its culture, and the evolving tastes of both locals and visitors.
“Joining VLB Berlin is a significant milestone in Lion Brewery’s journey of innovation and global collaboration. With over 140 years of heritage, we are eager to engage with VLB’s expertise in brewing science and education, while sharing our own experiences. This partnership will support knowledge exchange, research, and innovation as we expand through our new Lion Innovation Center. Our ambition is to strengthen Lion’s role as Sri Lanka’s market leader and a respected global brewer, bringing the character of Lion beers to more consumers worldwide,” stated Chathura Amarapriya, Senior Vice President Brewing & Planning, Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC.
VLB is very pleased about strengthening the cooperation: “It is a special honor for us to welcome Lion Brewery from Sri Lanka to our international VLB network,” says VLB Managing Director Dr. Josef Fontaine. “The company has a very ambitious and highly professional approach to brewing and innovation. We are proud to support Lion in its further development and look forward to a fruitful cooperation.”
The VLB membership certificate was handed over to the Lion team by VLB Senior Consultant Jan Biering during his working visit to Colombo in August 2025.
Handing over the VLB membership certificate at the Lion Innovation Centre in Sri Lanka on August 22, 2025: Arno Matthe, Senior Vice President and Brew Master, Chathura Dissanayake, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Chathura Amarapriya, Senior Vice President Brewing & Planning, Jan Biering (VLB Berlin) and Nirmala Chathuranga, Manager Brewing.