Q: Can you share the story behind Colombo Coffee Company’s (CCC) founding and the journey so far?

A: Colombo Coffee Company was founded over 20 years ago, at a time when quality coffee was a rarity in Sri Lanka, even in top hotels. The lack of premium coffee brands and specialised brewing equipment created a significant gap in the market.

Recognising this opportunity, we introduced Lavazza, the world’s leading commercial coffee brand, along with top tier coffee machines from La Cimbali, Gaggia and Nuova Simonelli.

However, we quickly realised that equipment alone wasn’t enough – Sri Lanka lacked the necessary skills and expertise to brew high quality coffee. To bridge this gap, we established a dedicated training division to develop local talent and a technical services division to provide after sales support for coffee machines.

Over the years, CCC has evolved into Sri Lanka’s premier coffee solutions provider, built on three key pillars: sales, technical and training.

Q: What is the company’s vision and mission, and how does it differentiate itself in the Sri Lankan coffee industry?

A: At CCC, our vision is to elevate Sri Lanka’s coffee culture by ensuring every customer enjoys a world-class coffee experience. As a pioneer in the industry, we focus primarily on the B2B hotel, restaurant and cafe/catering (HoReCa) sector, providing premium coffee solutions.

From the very beginning, we set industry benchmarks, leading the way in quality, expertise and innovation. Our commitment to excellence, superior products and unmatched service continue to differentiate us as the market leader in Sri Lanka’s coffee industry.

Q: Which international and local coffee brands do you represent – and what makes them unique?

A: Colombo Coffee Company proudly represents Lavazza, the world’s best-selling coffee brand, renowned for its rich heritage and exceptional quality. In addition, we launched our own homegrown brand Toscana Ceylon over a decade ago – not only as a brand but a movement to uplift Sri Lanka’s coffee growing communities.

Beyond delivering premium local coffee, Toscana focuses on the social impact – creating employment opportunities, empowering women and supporting children’s education. This initiative strengthens the entire Sri Lankan coffee ecosystem by directly benefiting farmers and their families.

Our passion lies in crafting great coffee while making a meaningful difference at the grassroots level, driving both quality and positive change.

Q: What certifications and quality standards does your company adhere to – and what  awards and recognitions has it received?

A: Colombo Coffee Company is committed to the highest quality and safety standards, and is currently in the process of obtaining ISO 22000, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certifications. Our dedication to excellence has been nationally recognised, making us the first coffee company in Sri Lanka to receive such prestigious awards.

At the Best Management Practices Awards (BMPA) 2024 conducted by the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers (CPM) of Sri Lanka, we won the bronze overall and an excellence award, and were the winners in the F&B and SME categories. Additionally, we had won the bronze award in the B2B category at the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) Brand Excellence Awards 2023.

These achievements are not merely a milestone for CCC but a significant recognition for the Sri Lankan coffee industry as a whole – as it is the first time that such national level recognitions have been received by a coffee company in Sri Lanka.

We anticipate significant growth over the next five to 10 years, positioning Sri Lanka as a thriving hub for high quality coffee experiences

Q: What trends do you see shaping the future of the coffee industry in Sri Lanka – and how is your company adapting?

A: Sri Lanka’s coffee industry is experiencing a dynamic shift, driven by growing interest from Gen Z and the rapid expansion of cafes beyond Colombo in cities such as Galle, Negombo, Kandy and even towns such as Habarana and Sigiriya.

Additionally, the resurgence of tourism – now, nearing pre-COVID levels – is further fuelling coffee consumption. This rising demand presents exciting opportunities for both international and local coffee brands.

As a company, we are actively adapting – by supporting new cafe ventures, enhancing our product offerings and strengthening our partnerships in the industry. With this upward momentum, we anticipate significant growth over the next five to 10 years, positioning Sri Lanka as a thriving hub for high quality coffee experiences.

Q: Can you share any exciting upcoming projects or expansion plans for CCC?

A: Colombo Coffee Company is gearing up for exciting growth, starting with the upcoming ISO and food safety certifications that will further enhance our quality standards.

We recently launched two new beverages under the Rush brand, which received outstanding feedback locally and amazing sales numbers, at F&B sourcing event Gulfood 2025, leading to international interest with export orders being discussed – an exciting milestone for us and the coffee industry of Sri Lanka as a whole.

Additionally, we are expanding our Toscana range with flavoured and spiced coffees including peppermint, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, vanilla and so on.

To ensure greater quality control, we have also established our own coffee ‘roastery’ equipped with a high quality coffee roasting machine, colour sorters, size sifters, de-stoners and metal detectors, allowing us to refine our production process and deliver an even better coffee experience to our customers.

– Compiled by Indrajit Lankeshwara

COMPANY DETAILS

Telephone 0703 606070 | Email hello@coffee.lk | Website www.coffee.lk