Unilever reinforces commitment to invest in Sri Lanka; Lays Foundation Stone for its first Malted Beverage Plant in Sapugaskanda

Total Investment of LKR 4 billion in its journey of nourishing a million Sri Lankan lives

Reinforcing its commitment to the nation, Unilever Sri Lanka, an organisation that has been deep-rooted in Sri Lanka over the past 85 years, has embarked on a journey to localise the production of its malted food drink brands with the commencement of the construction of its first Malted Beverage Plant in Sapugaskanda, located at the Lanka Industrial Estate Limited (LINDEL) zone. Currently, the company manufactures 97% of all its products in Sri Lanka and this project will enhance Unilever Sri Lanka’s locally manufactured portfolio further. This will come in the form of an investment of LKR4 billion and will manufacture Viva and Horlicks, as part of its journey of nourishing a million Sri Lankan lives.

Adapting state-of-the-art technology, the plant is equipped with Vacuum Bran Dryer technology which helps ensure the quality and consistency of products. This ensures a sustainable supply of high-quality Viva and Horlicks products, enriched with the goodness of malt and barley to enable Sri Lankan families to start their day with the energy required to keep them active throughout the day.

The event, held on 28th April 2023, was inaugurated by Hajar Alafifi,

Chairperson and Managing Director - Unilever Sri Lanka, and was graced by several dignitaries including Mrs. Renuka Weerakoon, Director General of the Board of Investment and Mr. Darshana Pandikorala, District Secretary of Gampaha. The laying of the foundation stone was conducted also in the presence of the Management Committee members of Unilever Sri Lanka including Damith Abeyratne, Supply Chain Director, Sharmila Bandara, Marketing Director - Home care and Nutrition, Niroshan Jayasuriya, National Finance Director along with several members of the Nutrition Business Unit Leadership Team of Unilever South Asia, Kavita Jain, Vice President - Nutrition and Ice Cream, South Asia, Krishnan Sundraram, Nutrition South Asia Functional Nutrition Head, and Prashant Premrajka, South Asia Finance Head - Nutrition and Ice Cream who arrived in Sri Lanka to grace this momentous occasion.