HEINEKEN Lanka Limited recently marked its 20th year of operation with a simple ceremony by felicitating 10 employees who served the company for 20 years.
HEINEKEN Lanka, formerly known as Asia Pacific Brewery, is a subsidiary of HEINEKEN Asia Pacific and HEINEKEN International – HEINEKEN is the world’s most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken® brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and speciality beers and ciders. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through “Brewing a Better World”, sustainability is embedded in the business and delivers value for all stakeholders. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We employ over 80,000 employees and operate breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries.
Commenting on the company’s 20th anniversary milestone, Managing Director of HEINEKEN Lanka, Dusty Alahakoon said, “Commemorating 20 years in Sri Lanka is a testament to our dedicated and committed staff. Moreover, our journey has been immensely supported by external stakeholder, especially government officials, policy makers, distribution partners and our customers. We sincerely appreciate the contributions of all without whom this journey would not have been a successful one. We hope that our success continues into the future.”
The 20th anniversary milestone also saw a number of employees being recognized for completing 20 years of service to the company. These employees were M. Ajantha. S. Lokuge, T.D.Sarath Dharmakeerthi, A.A.A. Kumara Premaratne, A.A.D. Sarathkumara, B.D.M. Kamal W. Dassanayake, L.D.S. Pushpasiri, S.M.P. Maddumabandara, W.R. Thilina H. Fernando, Anusha C. Devapriya and B Gayani S. Mendis. The company currently employs 306 personnel across many locations in production, commerce and support functions.
As a global leader in training and development, HEINEKEN Lanka offers a number of development opportunities for employees, paving way for sharpened skills, experience and exposure, catapulting them to careers in the International arena. HEINEKEN Lanka also offers multiple opportunities such as Short and Long Term International Assignments, and the Asia Pacific Graduate Programme, giving local talent the opportunity to broaden their horizons, leveraging on the larger HEINEKEN network across the world. There is also the ‘HEINEKEN SALES ACADEMY’ where skills and capabilities of the company’s sales force are developed arming them with internationally recognized skills, knowledge and tools to compete in the market.
Heineken Lanka operates a brewery in Mawathagama, Kurunegala, which has been in continuous operation over the past 20 years. HEINEKEN Lanka’s brewery, like all HEINEKEN operations globally, adhere to a strict set of international standards to maintain high levels of quality. HEINEKEN also sees sustainability as a driver for business success, and perceives our business to be a catalyst for positive change. HEINEKEN employs a strategy named ‘Brewing a Better World’ to maximize its potential as a sustainable business, and has set ambitious commitments and aims to embed sustainability across its entire value chain, from Barley to the Bar.