THE MARKET
LOLC Holdings is among Sri Lanka’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, operating across nine sectors including financial services, agriculture and plantations, manufacturing and trading, leisure, technology, advanced technologies, investments, construction and mining.
With a presence across three continents – Africa, Asia and Australia, and 27 countries – LOLC functions in both emerging and developed markets, adapting to diverse economic, regulatory and cultural environments.
Its portfolio includes plantations in Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and China; leisure assets in Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius; mining in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe; and financial services across 21 countries, positioning LOLC as the world’s largest micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) platform.
ACHIEVEMENTS
At the SLIM Kantar People’s Choice Awards 2025, LOLC was named People’s Financial Services Brand of the Year for the ninth consecutive year, recording a 21.2 percent heart share that rose to 21.6 percent in rural markets, reinforcing its top of mind leadership among grassroots communities.
Demonstrating scale and financial strength, LOLC Holdings ranked second among Sri Lanka’s 100 leading listed companies by revenue in the LMD 100 and was placed among the top five in the Business Today Top 40 for 2024/25.
Its reputation continues to strengthen, ranking sixth among Sri Lanka’s Most Respected Entities in 2025 and remaining in the top 10 for six consecutive years, earning Hall of Fame status.
Brand strength continues to differentiate the group with LOLC Finance named the most valuable financial services brand in Brand Finance Sri Lanka’s 100 Most Valuable Brands 2025, valued at Rs. 11,528 million – a 39.2 percent year-on-year increase – and an improved ‘AA+’ rating. This was reinforced through multiple category leadership positions in LMD Readers’ Most Loved Brands, published in the 2025 Brands Annual.
Operational excellence was underscored at the National Business Excellence Awards 2025, where LOLC secured nine awards across five sectors including gold for LOLC Technologies in ICT Services and the Overall Second Runner-Up position in the large category.
HISTORY
LOLC’s journey began in 1980 with its incorporation in Sri Lanka as the pioneering leasing company, playing a transformative role in introducing and popularising leasing, enabling the growth of grassroots and SMEs in the country.
The establishment of LOLC Factors in 1992 marked its entry into specialised financial services, laying the foundation for a diversified financial ecosystem.
This momentum accelerated in 2001 with the incorporation of LOLC Finance, which evolved into the group’s flagship, and stands as one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most trusted non-banking financial institutions (NBFI) today.
International expansion commenced in 2007 with its maiden overseas operation through PRASAC in Cambodia, signalling a strategic shift towards frontier and emerging markets. This global ambition deepened over the following decade, complemented by diversification beyond financial services.
And in 2010, LOLC entered the leisure sector, establishing a hospitality portfolio spanning iconic properties such as Eden Hotels, Riverina and Palm Garden. In 2011, LOLC transitioned into a holding company, enabling structured expansion across sectors and geographies.
The group’s regional footprint expanded further with the acquisition of Myanmar Microfinance in 2013 and rapid international growth by 2019. Disciplined capital allocation was demonstrated through the divestment of PRASAC in 2020 while innovation remained central with the incorporation of Ceylon Graphene Technologies in 2018.
Strategic consolidation defined the next phase. In 2022, the merger of LOLC Finance, LOLC Development Finance, Sinhaputhra Finance, and Commercial Leasing and Finance created Sri Lanka’s largest NBFI, while the acquisition of Udupussellawa and Hapugastenne Plantations strengthened its agricultural portfolio. Expansion into Australia through Payability in 2023 underscored LOLC’s capability to operate in developed markets.
In 2024, LOLC reshaped the global tea industry through the acquisition of James Finlay and Lipton – thereby becoming the world’s largest tea manufacturer – while simultaneously entering India. And in 2025, the group extended its innovation agenda by entering the electric vehicle (EV) segment, reinforcing its commitment to future ready growth.
THE PRODUCT
The group operates a diversified portfolio across multiple sectors, supported by a strong regional and global presence. Its financial services arm spans banking and non-banking finance, insurance, fleet management and stockbroking, anchored by over 200 LOLC Finance branches, and more than 80 life and general insurance outlets islandwide.
It runs the world’s largest MSME platform with LOLC Finance as Sri Lanka’s largest NBFI, and operates in 21 countries including Cambodia and Myanmar where its microfinance entities lead their markets.
The insurance portfolio includes the country’s third largest motor insurer and a fast-growing life assurance business with a 4.45 percent market share and industry leading growth of 46 percent in financial year 2024/25.
Its leisure segment comprises three to five-star hotels and resorts across Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius, while the agriculture and plantations sector includes the world’s largest tea and cinnamon manufacturing operations, Sri Lanka’s largest sugar production, and a major sugarcane business in Sierra Leone.
Manufacturing and trading activities cover batteries, heavy machinery, pharmaceuticals and home appliances, with leading market shares in automotive batteries, radiators and agricultural machinery, alongside affordable luxury electric vehicles through Browns EV.
At the forefront of technology, the group owns award-winning fintech and ERP platforms such as iPay, FusionX, OYES and OASYS, and operates a multi currency, multi geography platform. Its advanced technologies portfolio includes Sri Lanka’s first graphene and advanced materials company, complemented by strategic investments and notable holdings in leading local banks.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
LOLC continues to advance long-term value creation through strategic investments, future focussed ventures and large-scale social impact initiatives. A landmark move was the group’s US$ 120 million investment in the Port City Marina Development, securing six plots of land including four in the Marina District. Spanning 33,776 square metres, the project will create a vibrant waterfront destination with dining, retail and entertainment spaces.
Advancing its sustainability agenda, the group entered electric mobility with the launch of Browns EV introducing three models – BAW E7, Wuling Binguo and Wuling Cloud. Backed by financing options offered by LOLC Finance, the initiative enables access to luxury electric vehicles for under Rs. 5 million.
Beyond commercial growth, the group leads the country’s largest corporate led humanitarian initiative through ‘Divi Saviya’ since 2022. Its third chapter ‘Obai, Mamai, Ape Ratai,’ launched in response to Cyclone Ditwah, spans three phases: immediate relief through family super packs across 69 district secretariats; renovation of 200 schools; and reconstruction of completely destroyed schools with an investment exceeding Rs. 400 million.
Earlier Divi Saviya initiatives include pandemic era support to 125,000 families at a cost of Rs. 500 million and assistance to 40 percent of the country’s school population during the economic crisis, delivered through a 2.5 billion rupees programme.
PROMOTION
LOLC’s promotional strategy is anchored in its brand promise, ‘Imagine the Possibilities,’ reflecting the group’s role in enabling progress and opportunity across all segments it serves. Promotion is designed not merely to build visibility but also strengthen trust, top of mind recall and long-term brand equity across diverse markets.
The group follows a fully integrated approach, combining traditional and digital above the line (ATL), below the line (BTL) and time to live (TTL) channels, to maximise reach and engagement. ATL campaigns across print, radio, television and digital media reinforces brand leadership, credibility and scale, across local and international markets.
Complementing this, BTL initiatives focus on direct engagement through large-scale event activations, door-to-door campaigns, targeted awareness programmes and on-ground outreach initiatives, which enable meaningful interactions with customers and stakeholders. TTL efforts span social media, and digital and web platforms across subsidiaries, translating the brand promise into lived experiences.
At every touchpoint, LOLC ensures consistency in messaging, visual identity and tone while allowing flexibility for market specific adaptation. This balanced promotional approach enables the group to connect effectively across global, local, urban, semi-urban and rural markets, reinforcing its position as a trusted, aspirational brand that empowers individuals and enterprises to imagine and realise greater possibilities.
BRAND VALUES
LOLC Holdings is guided by a strong set of values that define its identity, culture and long-term direction. At its core is a firm commitment to equal rights with zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment, ensuring an inclusive and respectful environment across all operations. Integrity and transparency underpin decision making, fostering trust through ethical conduct, accountability and strong governance.
Innovation drives the group’s ability to change, adopt advanced technologies and deliver market leading solutions, while inclusivity underpins its growth agenda by empowering individuals, MSMEs and communities across geographies to participate meaningfully in economic progress.
Sustainability is embedded in strategy and execution, with environment, social and corporate governance (ESG) principles integrated throughout the value chain and aligned with all 10 UN Global Compact principles.
Resilience further defines the group’s ability to navigate complexity, adapt to disruption and remain steadfast through economic cycles. Collectively, these values are reinforced through leadership by example, robust governance, continuous learning and performance systems that reward ethical value driven behaviour.
Rooted in Sri Lankan heritage yet global in outlook, LOLC embodies confident leadership and purposeful progress, standing as a trusted force that creates stability, enables growth and inspires stakeholders to realise their potential.
