Lion Brewery Commissions Sri Lanka’s First Innovation Center for Craft Brews

Enables company to increase exports and strengthen presence of Sri Lankan craftsmanship on the global stage

Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC announced the commissioning of Sri Lanka’s first Innovation Center dedicated to the research and development for craft and specialty brews targeting export markets, which is also a BOI-approved project. This initiative is the latest milestone in Lion Brewery’s continuous journey in brewing innovation and is poised to further the presence of Sri Lankan brews on the global stage.

Industry research shows global demand for craft and specialty brews growing exponentially in the next five years, driven by consumers seeking high-quality flavor innovations made sustainably and ethically. Moreover, this demand is also visible through the tourism industry, with travelers looking for specialty food and beverage offerings to enhance their unique travel experience.1     

The Lion Brewery Innovation Center is established in such a backdrop and will be the first-of-its-kind facility in Sri Lanka. Equipped with best-in-class European brewing equipment, the unit is designed to test and scale diverse brewing styles enhanced with locally sourced ingredients for the development of value-added products. This investment will enable the company to cultivate expertise in specialty brewing, support the local tourism industry and increase export potential, thereby increasing foreign exchange earnings and strengthening the overall contribution to Sri Lanka’s economic progress.

Commenting on this landmark initiative, Rajiv Meewakkala, Chief Executive Officer of Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC said, "At Lion Brewery, we take immense pride in taking Sri Lanka's skill in innovation and brewing excellence to the world. We are deeply committed to our role as a key contributor to the national economy, and this Innovation Center represents a key milestone in our future-focused growth plans. It allows us to leverage the burgeoning global demand for craft and specialty brews while further strengthening our contribution to Sri Lanka's economic progress."

Lion Brewery, with a cumulative tax contribution of Rs. 304.9 billion over the past six years alone, 

continues to invest in Sri Lanka through both economic contributions and a commitment to quality and sustainability in all its operations. This new Innovation Center further strengthens this commitment, enhancing the company’s ability to drive economic growth while upholding its heritage of brewing excellence spanning over century.

Image Caption- Lion Image 02- 

Left to Right: Thusith Gunawarnasuriya- Chief Supply Chain Officer, Mano Selvanathan- Director, and Rajiv Meewakkala-Chief Executive Officer of Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC, inaugurate the Lion Innovation Center, the first-of-its-kind facility in Sri Lanka.