LMD AUGUST 2026 COVER STORY

SUPERBRANDS SRI LANKA 2025

THE
BENCHMARK

The return of Superbrands Sri Lanka came at a time 
when branding was being tested in practical ways…

After a hiatus of 17 years, Superbrands was back last year, renewing attention on brands that continue to command recognition, respect and loyalty in Sri Lanka. The re-entry of the globally recognised programme came at a time when businesses were rebuilding confidence, consumers were becoming more selective, and companies were being judged not only by the products and services they sell but how they deliver value.

The Superbrands Sri Lanka 2025 list reflects the breadth of the country’s brand landscape and this diversity affirms that brand excellence isn’t confined to one sector or business model.

What is striking about this line up is the balance between heritage and contemporary relevance. 

BOC, COMMERCIAL BANK and HNB continue to represent institutional confidence in financial services, while LOLC and First Capital reflect the growing importance of diversified and specialist financial brands.

In the food, consumer and household categories, Maliban and Maliban Savoury, Motha, TipiTip, Fortune, Highland, Elephant House ICE CREAM and Flora point to the enduring strength of brands that have become part of everyday life – from nutrition and indulgence, to hygiene, care and comfort.

Meanwhile, heritage brands such as SIDDHALEPA show how authenticity and cultural roots remain powerful assets, while Samsung and mastercard highlight the relevance of global brands to Sri Lankan consumers. 

Other brands that shine a light on heritage include CIC and Tokyo Super, while Eva and moose CLOTHING COMPANY pride themselves on being renowned for quality, and earning the trust of consumers.

As for the automotive sector, BAJAJ earned Superbrands status in 2025 for top of the mind recall among other attributes. 

In hospitality, HERITANCE and Hilton COLOMBO represent service led brand equity, together with CIMA, while MÄGA and HOME LANDS hail from sectors that reflect credibility and delivery, which are central to brand perception. 

And last but not least, tv Derana underlines the influence of media brands while VISION CARE demonstrates the value of specialist service brands that combine accessibility with professional trust.

The return of Superbrands Sri Lanka came at a time when branding was being tested in practical ways – today’s consumers are more value conscious and informed, and less willing to accept lofty claims at face value. 

It is fitting therefore, that this tribute to Sri Lanka’s 2025 Superbrands takes centre stage in LMD’s 32^nd anniversary edition – it is a celebration not only the LMD’s enduring legacy but also the brands that have grown alongside Sri Lanka’s pioneering business magazine.

So with Superbrands Sri Lanka back in the picture, the spotlight returns to a vital question: what makes a brand not merely known but chosen, remembered and respected? 

The answer lies in the performance, promise and emotional connection these brands have sustained with remarkable consistency.

So as Superbrands returns for 2026, its relevance is clearer than ever: it is not only a celebration of past achievements but also a timely reminder that in today’s marketplace, trust remains a brand’s most valuable asset.

– Compiled by Tamara Rebeira

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BRAND
TRUST 

Why trust, recognition and consistency define the brands that lead the way – compiled by Superbrands Sri Lanka

In today’s marketplace, success is no longer defined by visibility alone. It is defined by trust. Consumers are surrounded by thousands of choices – products, services, messages and promises. In such an environment, the real differentiator is not simply what a brand offers but what it represents. 

It is this very idea that underpins the global relevance of Superbrands – a platform that has evolved into one of the most credible benchmarks of brand strength, trust and long-term excellence. 

Since its inception in the UK in 1994, Superbrands has grown into a global institution, operating in over 95 countries and working with thousands of brands worldwide. But its true power lies not in its scale but its impact.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND TRUST In an era where consumers are increasingly sceptical, independent validation plays a critical role in influencing behaviour. Research conducted by global agencies reveals a compelling insight: seventy-four percent of consumers are more likely to purchase a product or service that carries the Superbrands seal. 

This is not merely a statistic: it is a reflection of how modern consumers make decisions.

Seventy-four percent of consumers are more likely to purchase a product or service that carries the Superbrands seal

Further studies show that over 80 percent of consumers are more likely to consider or trust a brand recognised as a Superbrand, more than 60 percent are willing to recommend such brands to others, and a significant percentage are even willing to pay a premium for brands associated with trust and credibility.

In a world overwhelmed by information, trust simplifies choice. And Superbrands acts as a powerful shortcut to that trust.

A STRATEGIC BUSINESS ADVANTAGE Superbrands is often perceived as an award. In reality, it functions as a strategic business asset. For brands, the impact operates across the following multiple dimensions.

❍ Immediate market differentiation: in crowded categories, Superbrands recognition signals that a brand has been independently validated.

❍ Enhanced consumer confidence: it reassures consumers of quality, reliability and consistency, helping them to make decisions with greater confidence.

❍ Premium positioning: Superbrands recognition strengthens perceived value, enabling brands to compete on trust rather than price alone. 

❍ Internal transformation: recognition builds employee pride, strengthening engagement, retention and performance. 

❍ Stakeholder confidence: it signals credibility, stability and leadership, to suppliers, partners, investors and retailers.

ECOSYSTEM IMPACT While the benefits for individual brands are clear, the broader impact of Superbrands lies in how it elevates entire markets. When a country celebrates its strongest brands: it establishes benchmarks of excellence, encourages healthy competition, drives innovation and quality improvement, and raises consumer expectations.

For instance, the Superbrands Bangladesh 2025-26 edition, which recognised 49 leading brands, brought together corporate leaders and industry experts to celebrate trust, innovation and excellence. Such initiatives do more than reward brands; they institutionalise a culture of branding excellence.

In emerging economies especially, this has profound implications. Strong brands do not simply drive business growth; they contribute to national reputation, export strength and global perception.

HOW BRANDS LEVERAGE SUPERBRANDS The real measure of Superbrands lies in how brands use it. Brands such as Elan and Weber have demonstrated how consistent quality over decades translates into long-term brand equity. Superbrands recognition reinforces their legacy while keeping them relevant in modern markets.

Across markets, leading fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands use Superbrands as a point of sale trust trigger, displaying the seal on packaging, advertising and retail environments to influence consumer choice at critical moments.

Emerging financial brands in the UAE have used Superbrands recognition to overcome one of their biggest challenges: trust. By associating with a credible platform, they have accelerated customer acquisition and positioned themselves as reliable alternatives to established players.

As the world moves deeper into a trust driven economy, the importance of platforms such as Superbrands will only increase

LONG-TERM VALUE – BEYOND VISIBILITY What sets Superbrands apart from many other recognitions is its long-term impact.

❍ Strengthening brand equity: Superbrands reinforces trust, recall and emotional connection – key drivers of long-term brand value.

❍ Driving customer loyalty: trusted brands encourage repeat purchases and turn customers into advocates.

❍ Enabling expansion: Superbrands recognition gives brands instant credibility when launching products, entering markets or building partnerships.

❍ Creating accountability: recognition raises expectations and encourages brands to maintain high standards.

SUPERBRANDS AND THE FUTURE OF BRANDING As the world moves deeper into a trust driven economy, the importance of platforms such as Superbrands will only increase.

Today’s consumers are more informed, sceptical and purpose driven. They do not simply buy products – they buy belief systems. This shift places a new responsibility on brands – i.e. to be consistent, authentic and capable of delivering real value. 

Superbrands plays a critical role in identifying and reinforcing those who meet these expectations.

WHY IT MATTERS FOR NATIONS The importance of Superbrands goes beyond businesses – it extends to nations. Strong brands contribute to national image and reputation, export competitiveness, tourism appeal and foreign investment confidence. In many ways, brands become ambassadors of a nation’s identity. 

When global consumers trust a country’s brands, they begin to trust the country itself. In a world where attention is abundant but trust is scarce, Superbrands represents something deeper than recognition. It represents consistency over time, trust earned through delivery and value created beyond transactions. 

It is not about being the loudest brand. It is about being the most reliable, meaningful and respected – because in the end, brands that endure are not those that simply capture attention. They are those that earn trust – again and again, over time. 

And those who achieve this distinction don’t merely succeed; they lead, they inspire and ultimately, they become Superbrands.

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