Free Lanka Group can trace its roots to the late 1940s, when its’ present Chairman Mr. K. Aloysius began work carrying on the business his late father Mr. T.P.S Kattar left behind in 1945. Mr. K. Aloysius in his late teens then formed Free Lanka Dry Fish Stores in the 50’s and consequent to the nationalization of the Dry Fish Trade successfully secured a Marketing Department Contract for the supply of Dry Fish. Shortly after, Aloysius was joined by his younger brother Justin who became a member in the family business. Moving away from the Dry Fish Trade, Free Lanka Trading Company was formed in 1960 and began the active import & export business of commodities and indenting of machinery from Eastern European countries. This enabled Free Lanka to establish itself as a sound business enterprise in its own right and was able to construct its first office building at 160/162 Reclamation Road in 1963.

The Company was finally incorporated as a Limited Liability concern in 1970. Due to the volatile political environment which significantly effected business, Aloysius’ younger brother Justin left the Company to form Intercontinental Development Company (IDC) in Singapore. IDC and Free Lanka continue to work together in the Far Eastern markets as IDC with its hub in Singapore has successful and effective operational offices in Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and strong business ties in the People’s Republic of China.

Free Lanka began representing prestigious world renowned brands such as Magna Welding Rods, Konica X-Ray Films, ZRC, WD 40 and others in the Industrial Products sector and moved on to the Alcoholic Beverage sector by holding the agencies of Camus Cognac, Dewars White Label Scotch Whiskey, among others from the late 70’s. The Alcoholic Beverage sector expanded significantly in the 1980s’ by a minor restructure of operations to optimize on what was to be a growth sector.

The Dimension Stone business was entered into in the early 1980’s when the Group identified its potential both locally and internationally. Free Lanka Granite became one of the pioneers of the trade and has been successful despite competition from new entrants who eventually were not able to survive. By the Group’s significant investment in this industry, today Free Lanka Granite’s plant and facilities are unmatched by any other in the trade. Free Lanka Granite has the ability to deliver unique designs and products using locally sourced Granite and also imports exotic varieties of Dimension Stone products from various parts of the World.

Free Lanka in the late 80’s began its Duty Free presence at the Colombo International Airport which it continues today. Free Lanka Duty Free is one of the most trusted by travelers by its over 15 year presence at both Arrival and Departure Halls of the Colombo International Airport.

The Plantations sector was formed in the early 1990’s when the Company took part in the management and privatization process of large Tea and Rubber properties by the Government of Sri Lanka. Free Lanka Group’s subsidiary companies, Free Lanka Management Co. Ltd and Free Lanka Plantations Co. Ltd. subsequently purchased controlling interests in two Regional Plantation Companies, namely Pussellawa Plantations Ltd. and Maturata Plantations Ltd. which land & property comprises over 50,000 acres.

The acquisition of these companies in the late 1990s’ and Free Lanka’s entrance to the Civil Engineering industry by its subsidiary FLAPEC (Private) Ltd which supplies the Ceylon Electricity Board’s complete requirement of High Tension Line 10 and 11 Meter Concrete Poles brought the Group turnover to over Rs.3 Billion. Furthermore, the Group concentrated on various Infrastructure Projects in the country from the 1970s and has built an image of being one of the most successful in implementation, satisfying the requirements of various Multinational Companies who have placed their trust in appointing the Free Lanka Group as their sole representative.

Its recent Strategic Investments into the Power Sector by a joint venture with a French Hydro Power firm and its intention to capitalize on the plantation investment by concentrating on more value addition sees the Group using its synergies to expand further, thereby improving on its bottom line and total revenues.