Lanka Sugar Company, operating under the Ministry of Industries and Enterprise Development, launched its first-ever brown sugar retail outlet today ( 11th of November ) in Nugegoda.
The initiative aims to make high-quality, locally produced brown sugar from the Pelwatte and Sevanagala factories accessible to Sri Lankan consumers at affordable prices.
This launch marks a major milestone for Lanka Sugar, which came under state ownership in 2011, as it establishes its first retail network in 14 years. The move also addresses recent false claims regarding the closure or privatization of the Pelwatte and Sevanagala factories.
Minister Sunil Handunnetti described the launch as a “turning point” for the company, highlighting that from January 1, the government will exempt Lanka Sugar from statutory payments to strengthen its operations.
The new retail network is expected to benefit over 250,000 sugarcane farming families by providing a stable market for their produce.
The Nugegoda outlet, located along Nawala Road, will sell brown sugar both in bulk and retail, alongside a variety of other products including jaggery, treacle, and sugarcane-based beverages.
The launch event was attended by Deputy Minister of Trade and Food Security R. M. Jayawardena, parliamentarians, ministry officials, Lanka Sugar Chairperson Sandamali Chandrasekara, and representatives of local government and sugarcane growers.
