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Morison gearing to re-shape pharmaceutical industry in SL by 2030

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Morison’s LKR 4 billion worth state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Homagama

Sri Lanka’s pharma industry with 1959-roots still producing only 15% of national requirement

Locally manufactured drugs have only 5% market share in private pharma market

Morison to compete with foreign brands with the commencement of commercial manufacturing

by Sanath Nanayakkare

It may be a long journey ahead, but we are going to accomplish it with the support of our science-driven, passionate, young team employed at our pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Homagama, Dinesh Athapaththu, MD at Morison PLC told the media recently.

He said so while addressing a media roundtable at the LKR 4 billion worth state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing plant operating with minimum human involvement and maximum automation.

“We have embarked on a journey upstream of changing the landscape of the pharma manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka in order to make premium healthcare affordable for everyone,” he said.

“Healthcare is in the news for all the wrong reasons. Some Sri Lankan companies like Morison are trying to take the pharmaceutical industry to the next level after decades of stagnation. However, it is not receiving positive media attention, and therefore, the general public of the country as well as many doctors don’t know what Morison is doing to make this crucial investment work for Sri Lanka.

It has been more than three years since we made this investment and most of our resources still go into product development. Sri Lanka commenced pharmaceutical manufacturing in 1959, but it is still manufacturing just 15% of the national requirement whereas our neigbouring countries are far ahead of us in national supply volumes and export volumes.

“India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka commenced pharma manufacturing in the 1950s which means pharma manufacturing in these countries got off the ground around the same time in history. In Sri Lanka, that feat was achieved by J.L Morison Son & Jones (Ceylon) PLC. Their facility at Aluth Mawatha, Mutwal became one of the pioneers of generic pharmaceutical manufacturing in Sri Lanka. However, 65 years on, Sri Lanka is still producing only 15% of its national medicine requirement whereas India is self-sufficient plus USD 20 billion worth exports, Bangladesh 95% self-sufficient plus exports worth USD 3 billion, Pakistan 70% self-sufficient plus exports worth USD 5 billion.

Morison enhancing the skill-set of young science and pharma graduates in Sri Lanka

“Sri Lanka’s total pharmaceutical market is estimated at about USD 600 million where 40% of that drugs value is dispensed through government hospitals while 60% is dispensed by private pharmacies. Only 25% of the total 15% locally manufactured pharmaceuticals are dispensed by the government. Most local manufacturers focus on supplying this 25% requirement to the government.

On the other hand, in the private market where doctor-prescribed brands are sold, the locally manufactured products have only a 5% market share, meaning 95% of the products sold in the private market are imported drugs. Having studied this, Morison decided to try and change things around even at this late stage by becoming a manufacturer of branded drugs of international standards in addition to being a bulk generic supplier to the government.”

Dinesh Athapaththu Managing Director at Morison

“Before we built the new plant in Homagama, we went to India and Pakistan to see the pharmaceutical plants there. We realized that we have an issue with the absence of high quality plants in Sri Lanka to go out and promote our products among doctors and private pharmacies. It was evident that we needed to bring high quality pharma manufacturing standards into the country in order to be able to manufacture drugs of the highest quality, safety and efficacy standards such as EU GMP. So we made a bold investment of LKR 4 billion to build this plant. We have been running the plant in compliance with WHO GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and EU GMP standards.”

‘Morison decided to take a long term view of this industry and enter the private market, without solely depending on government supplies which could be subject to policy changes from time to time. Therefore, our committed mission now is building a credible pharmaceutical brand which can readily compete with reputed imported pharma brands built on a patient-centric approach.”

“Indian pharma is in a good position today after about 60 -65 years’ of dedication. In Sri Lanka, proper pharmaceutical manufacturing has not significantly evolved. So we have to make necessary changes to transform this industry. For that, primarily we need to take a long term view of sustainable growth and subsequently about the return on investment. Our shareholders are being patient and supportive of our strategy.

We need to attract a lot of qualified young people into the industry to come and work because they will grow with the industry as we are gearing to make a notable impact in the pharmaceutical industry in Sri Lanka. be the best pharma brand in Sri Lanka by 2030, and effectively compete with foreign brands. At our Homagama factory, the average age of our workforce is around 30 years. The beauty of that is; in ten years, the most qualified Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturing personnel will be around 40-years old,” a confident Dinesh said.

J.L. Morison Son & Jones (Ceylon) PLC was acquired by Hemas Holdings PLC in 2013, and today it is re-branded as Morison, retaining a sense of that historical legacy.

Morison’s Homagama manufacturing facility at present manufactures five drugs and has developed about 26 drugs out of which 10- 12 are in NMRA for registration and the rest are to be submitted for registration.

Morison is planning to submit for accreditation for their Homagama facility once it fulfills the complex European procedures, after which Morison’s products will have easier access to lucrative foreign markets, thereby earning much needed foreign currency for Sri Lanka.



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Sri Lanka Tourism makes a strong impression at CMT 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany

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Sri Lanka Tourism marked its presence at CMT 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany, one of the largest consumer travel fairs in Europe. The Sri Lanka Stand accommodated representatives from the local tourism industry, providing a valuable platform to connect directly with the German travel community, particularly travellers with long-haul travel intentions.

Sri Lanka’s participation at CMT 2026 enabled direct engagement with consumers and helped stimulate interest in exploring the country’s diverse and year-round travel experiences. This presence addressed a long-standing need for Sri Lanka Tourism to participate in major consumer-focused travel platforms, effectively taking destination promotion directly to the travellers’ doorstep.

A wide range of travel packages, customised itineraries, accommodation options, and experiential offerings were presented to interested German consumers by Sri Lankan DMCs, under the umbrella of Sri Lanka Tourism. The platform also allowed potential travellers to clarify concerns and queries related to planning travel to Sri Lanka through direct, face-to-face interactions with industry professionals.

These direct engagements enabled Sri Lankan industry participants to gain valuable insights into emerging travel interests, changing consumer behaviour, and evolving customer expectations in the German market. The face-to-face discussions with end consumers strengthened the industry’s understanding of demand trends and product requirements.

Strategically, Sri Lanka Tourism’s focus on B2C promotions serves as a catalyst for strengthening B2B platforms, ensuring that final decision-makers—the travellers—are actively engaged alongside trade partners. This alignment enhances the overall effectiveness of trade collaborations. Well-designed consumer promotion activities, including giveaways, contests, experiential engagements, and cultural performances, created emotional connections with visitors, improved destination recall, and reinforced Sri Lanka’s positioning as a compelling long-haul destination. (Sri Lanka Tourism)

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Adora raises the bar for hospital-backed aesthetic care in Wattala

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Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara on advanced non surgical treatments

Hemas Hospitals has strengthened its regional healthcare positioning with the launch of Adora Cosmetic Centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala, introducing a hospital-backed, clinically governed model of aesthetic medicine at a time when South Asia’s cosmetic sector is expanding faster than regulation.

Unlike standalone cosmetic clinics, Adora is fully integrated into the Hemas Hospital ecosystem, embedding aesthetic services within hospital-grade infrastructure, multidisciplinary medical support and internationally aligned clinical governance.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Lakith Peiris, Managing Director of Hemas Hospitals & Labs, said the centre represents a deliberate shift in strategy.

“Adora is not about cosmetic enhancement alone. It is built on protocols, trained clinicians and governance. As healthcare providers scale across the region, safety and medical credibility must remain non-negotiable,” he told The Island Financial Review.

The centre is positioned as a health-class facility, combining advanced aesthetic technologies with evidence-based medical pathways. This approach addresses growing regional concerns over unregulated cosmetic practices, offering patients reassurance through professional oversight and ethical medical standards.

Prabhan Gunawardena, Director General Manager of Hemas Hospital Wattala, said the initiative reflects both clinical responsibility and business foresight.

“The cosmetic industry is evolving rapidly across South Asia. Adora demonstrates how innovation can be scaled responsibly when anchored in medical expertise and hospital governance,” he said.

Detailing the centre’s scope, Dr. Piyumini Gunasekara, Medical Officer – Adora Cosmetic Centre, said treatments are designed to address medical and aesthetic concerns through personalised, evidence-based care.

She told The Island Financial Review:”We offer advanced non-surgical treatments for concerns such as hyperpigmentation, acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss, enlarged pores, rosacea, UV damage, excessive sweating, warts and moles. Every procedure is clinically assessed and delivered within a hospital-backed framework to ensure safe and sustainable outcomes.”

Clinical governance remains central to operations, reinforced by Dr. Malith Atapattu, Director – Medical Services and Quality, who highlighted the importance of protocol-driven care in a sector often challenged by inconsistent standards.

As Sri Lanka positions itself as a regional healthcare and medical tourism destination, hospital-led aesthetic centres such as Adora signal a broader industry shift—where growth is aligned with governance, trust and long-term sustainability.

For Hemas Hospitals, Adora represents a calculated entry into a high-growth segment without compromising medical integrity. For the region, it underscores a clear message: the future of aesthetic care lies in hospital-backed, clinically governed models—not cosmetic shortcuts.

By Ifham Nizam

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John Keells Consumer Foods Sector dominates SLIM National Sales Awards 2025 with landmark wins

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The John Keells Consumer Foods Sector (JKCF) has reinforced its standing as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka’s FMCG industry with an exceptional performance at the SLIM National Sales Awards 2025, securing an impressive total of 27 awards. This remarkable achievement reflects the sector’s unwavering commitment to building high-performing teams, nurturing sales excellence, and driving sustained growth across its diverse business verticals.

Representing the iconic brands of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS), Keells Food Products PLC (KFP), and Colombo Ice Company (CICL), JKCF has long been recognized for its rich legacy of innovation and leadership in beverages, frozen confectionery, and processed foods. Its long-standing focus on people capability and performance culture continues to fuel industry-leading achievements, with the latest recognition at SLIM NSA 2025 marking one of the largest collective wins by a single organization in the event’s history.

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