Barista rendering coffee ‘cool’ for Sri Lankans

By Ifham Nizam

Barista, one of Sri Lanka’s most prominent coffee brands, is on a mission to make coffee a staple in every Sri Lankan’s life, says its CEO Dilupa Pathirana.

In an interview with The Island Financial Review, Pathirana outlined the company’s plans to continue its rapid expansion, bringing the coffee culture to every city across the island.

“We want to make coffee a social, accessible beverage that fits into every part of life, said Pathirana. “Whether you’re studying, working, meeting a friend, or just relaxing, we want coffee to be there. The vision is simple – we aim to make coffee a part of everyday life in Sri Lanka.”

Barista, which has been on a remarkable growth trajectory, currently operates over 75,000 square feet of café space across Sri Lanka and is now expanding its reach beyond Colombo. With outlets popping up in cities like Kandy, Sigiriya and Kurunegala, Barista is determined to bring quality coffee to every corner of the island.

The company’s expansion is not just about serving coffee; it’s about creating a community. “We are not just selling coffee; we are offering a place for people to connect, work, and grow, Pathirana shared; “Every outlet is designed to be a community hub, where people can relax, meet, or get some work done.”

In addition to its cafes, Barista is also leading a cultural shift, helping younger Sri Lankans embrace coffee as a part of their lifestyle. Pathirana credits the company for significantly influencing coffee culture in Sri Lanka over the past several years, saying, “If you talk about coffee culture in Sri Lanka today, it wouldn’t have happened without us. We made coffee cool for young people.”

The company’s mission goes beyond just providing coffee. Barista’s franchising model ensures that each outlet is equipped with the full Barista experience—from high-quality coffee and food offerings to consistent training for staff. “We provide full support to franchisees, from design to operations, and even recruitment, said Pathirana. “Everything is designed to ensure that every Barista outlet provides a consistent, high-quality experience.”

Despite the challenges of operating in Sri Lanka’s fluctuating economy, Barista remains focused on providing affordable and accessible coffee. “Our strategy is clear—make good coffee available to everyone. By keeping prices reasonable and outlets in high-traffic areas, we ensure that our coffee is within reach of the general public.”

Looking to the future, Pathirana remains optimistic about Barista’s growth and the potential to continue building a coffee culture that resonates with people of all ages. “We’re just getting started,” he concluded. “Sri Lanka has embraced coffee, and we want to be there every step of the way.”

For Barista, CSR is not a temporary project nor something to boast about in annual reports; it is embedded in the core philosophy of the business. Pathirana emphasized that even in times of adversity, such as the negative profits in 2017-18 and the global pandemic, the company initiated impactful CSR campaigns like the “Share a Meal” initiative. The campaign, which aimed to support SOS children, was launched when the company was struggling, yet Barista managed to raise Rs. 350,000 despite the lack of profits.