Lanka Tiles
Lanka Tiles is a Sri Lankan manufacturer and marketer of glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Lanka Tiles is the consumer-facing name of Lanka Tiles PLC, a Sri Lankan manufacturer of glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles. The company was incorporated on 30 March 1984 and became a public company listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange two years later. Its origins lie in the state-owned Ceylon Ceramics Corporation, from which Lanka Tiles and the related Lanka Walltiles business emerged. The company therefore developed within Sri Lanka's domestic ceramics industry before becoming part of the country's privatisation and consolidation process. During its early years, Lanka Tiles had a substantial export orientation. In 1987, it reportedly exported about 80% of its production, demonstrating that its business was not limited to the local construction market. In 1991, most divisions of Ceylon Ceramics Corporation were reorganised into Lanka Ceramic Limited as part of the government's policy of divestment. After the government sold its interest, Ceylon Theatres acquired a controlling stake in Lanka Ceramic. Following that transaction, the tile business was renamed Lanka Floortiles before later operating under the Lanka Tiles identity. The company became part of the Vallibel One Group after a consortium led by Royal Ceramics acquired 80% of Lanka Ceramic in May 2013. This transaction linked Lanka Tiles with one of Sri Lanka's most significant ceramics groups and strengthened Royal Ceramics' position in the domestic tile market. Lanka Tiles operates alongside related ceramics businesses and has remained a quoted Sri Lankan company. Its product activity centres on glazed ceramic and porcelain tile manufacturing, including mosaic and glazed vitrified tile lines. The company has used both direct manufacturing and contract-manufacturing arrangements to address regional competition and supply conditions. In India, it entered an agreement with Ambani Vitrified to manufacture glazed vitrified tiles and later expanded contract manufacturing there. In 2019, Lanka Tiles committed approximately LKR 200 million to an export initiative involving mosaic tiles for the United States. The initiative was developed with Foshan Shiwan Yulong Ceramic and Benjamin Malloy against the backdrop of United States anti-dumping duties on certain Chinese-origin ceramic products, which created a potential opening for alternative suppliers. Lanka Tiles has also faced labour, cost and demand pressures. Employees staged a 19-day strike in August 2010 over pay increases, with the dispute ending after salary negotiations with the trade union. A further strike occurred in 2011, involving 450 of the company's 580 workers; the workers ultimately agreed to observe the collective agreement. More recently, Sri Lanka's economic crisis, higher raw-material and machinery costs, import restrictions and weakening construction demand affected the business. Although government restrictions on tile imports offered some protection to local manufacturers, Lanka Tiles experienced declining domestic demand and rising inventories. The company consequently restarted manufacturing operations in India and considered establishing a distribution channel there. The brand has retained visibility in Sri Lankan business rankings. It was identified as one of the country's 100 most valuable brands in 2022, ranking 48th in that brand-ranking context, and it also appeared in the LMD 100 ranking of quoted Sri Lankan companies by revenue, where it was reported at number 68 in the 2022 ranking. These distinctions reflect the company's established domestic presence rather than global consumer-brand status. Lanka Tiles remains principally a Sri Lankan building-materials brand with export and regional manufacturing activities.
History
Lanka Tiles was incorporated on 30 March 1984 and was listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange in 1986. Its formation occurred within the structure of Ceylon Ceramics Corporation, a government-owned ceramics enterprise that also included the business that became Lanka Walltiles. In its early operating period, the company had a strong export profile: in 1987, approximately 80% of its production was reported to have been exported. The company's ownership history followed Sri Lanka's wider move toward privatisation. In 1991, all but one division of Ceylon Ceramics Corporation was incorporated into Lanka Ceramic Limited. When the government subsequently divested its holding in Lanka Ceramic, Ceylon Theatres acquired 65% of the company. After that acquisition, Lanka Tiles was renamed Lanka Floortiles. The business later returned to the Lanka Tiles identity as its principal commercial brand. A major ownership change occurred in May 2013, when a consortium led by Royal Ceramics acquired 80% of Lanka Ceramic. This placed Lanka Tiles within the Vallibel One Group and connected it to Royal Ceramics' broader ceramics portfolio. The transaction also gave Royal Ceramics a near-monopoly position in Sri Lanka's tile market according to the cited account. Labour relations were an important operational issue during the following period. Workers launched a strike in August 2010 to seek higher wages. The dispute lasted 19 days and ended after successful negotiations with the trade union. In 2011, 450 of the company's 580 workers participated in another strike. The workers subsequently agreed to abide by the applicable collective agreement. Lanka Tiles has pursued regional sourcing and export opportunities alongside its Sri Lankan manufacturing activities. In 2019, it invested LKR 200 million in a plan to export mosaic tiles to the United States. The initiative involved Foshan Shiwan Yulong Ceramic and Benjamin Malloy and took place after the United States imposed anti-dumping duties on ceramic products originating in China. The duties potentially improved the competitive position of non-Chinese suppliers. Around the same period, Lanka Tiles expanded contract manufacturing in India to respond to inexpensive Indian imports. The company had previously agreed with Ambani Vitrified to manufacture glazed vitrified tiles. The business later operated under difficult macroeconomic conditions in Sri Lanka. Import restrictions on tiles provided some protection for local producers, but Lanka Tiles was affected by increased raw-material and machinery costs and by declining demand during the country's economic crisis. The company restarted manufacturing operations in India and considered establishing a distribution channel there. Increased production did not fully offset the contraction in Sri Lankan demand, and inventories began to build. Despite these pressures, the brand continued to be recognised in Sri Lankan business rankings. It was included among the country's 100 most valuable brands in 2022 and was also listed in the LMD 100 ranking of quoted companies by annual revenue. Lanka Tiles is therefore best understood as an established Sri Lankan tile manufacturer and corporate brand with roots in a former state ceramics enterprise, a later private-sector ownership transition, and continuing regional and export ambitions.
- 2022
Indian manufacturing operations restart
[1]The company restarted tile manufacturing in India as Sri Lankan demand weakened during the economic crisis.
- 2022
Recognition in Sri Lankan business rankings
[1]Lanka Tiles was reported in Sri Lankan brand-value and LMD 100 company rankings.
- 2019
United States mosaic-tile export initiative
[1]Lanka Tiles invested approximately LKR 200 million in an initiative to export mosaic tiles to the United States.
- 2013
Lanka Tiles enters the Vallibel One Group
[1]A Royal Ceramics-led consortium acquired 80% of Lanka Ceramic, the parent of Lanka Tiles.
- 2010
Nineteen-day wage strike is resolved
[1]Workers ended a strike over pay after negotiations with their trade union.
- 1991
Lanka Ceramic Limited is formed
[1]Most divisions of Ceylon Ceramics Corporation were incorporated into Lanka Ceramic Limited during the privatisation process.
- 1991
The business is renamed Lanka Floortiles
[1]Following Ceylon Theatres' acquisition of a controlling stake in Lanka Ceramic, the Lanka Tiles business was renamed Lanka Floortiles.
- 1987
Exports account for most production
[1]The company reportedly exported 80% of its production, indicating a substantial early international orientation.
- 1986
The company lists on the Colombo Stock Exchange
[1]Lanka Tiles became a listed company two years after incorporation.
- 1984
Lanka Tiles is incorporated
[1]Lanka Tiles was incorporated on 30 March 1984 as part of Sri Lanka's ceramics industry.
Products and positioning
A Sri Lankan ceramics and surfaces brand serving residential, commercial and construction markets, with a domestic manufacturing base and selective export and regional production activities.
Ceramic tiles
Glazed ceramic tiles
Glazed ceramic tiles are a core Lanka Tiles product category for interior and architectural surfaces. The glaze provides a finished decorative surface and can support applications across residential, commercial and general construction projects. The available reference material identifies glazed ceramic tile manufacturing as part of the company's principal business but does not specify individual collections, formats or technical specifications.
Porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles
Porcelain tiles form part of Lanka Tiles' broader ceramic and architectural-surface portfolio. They are manufactured for durable flooring and wall applications, although the supplied sources do not identify specific product series or launch dates. The category is consistent with the company's description as a glazed ceramic and porcelain tile manufacturer.
Mosaic tiles · 2019
Mosaic tiles
Mosaic tiles became particularly associated with Lanka Tiles' export strategy. In 2019, the company invested in an initiative to export mosaic tiles to the United States, working with Foshan Shiwan Yulong Ceramic and Benjamin Malloy. The initiative sought to benefit from market conditions created by United States anti-dumping duties on certain Chinese-origin ceramic products.
Vitrified tiles
Glazed vitrified tiles
Lanka Tiles has manufactured glazed vitrified tiles through an Indian production arrangement with Ambani Vitrified and later expanded contract manufacturing in India. The line represents an effort to compete in a regional market affected by lower-priced imports and to use Indian production capacity alongside the company's Sri Lankan operations.
Brand decisions
2022
Restart Indian manufacturing and consider a distribution channelStrategyBackground
Sri Lanka's economic crisis reduced domestic demand while raw-material and machinery costs increased. The company also reported inventory accumulation despite production efforts.
Action taken
Lanka Tiles restarted tile manufacturing operations in India and planned or considered opening a distribution channel there.
Aftermath
The decision sought to diversify production and market access while domestic Sri Lankan demand was weakening. The sources do not confirm the final status of the proposed distribution channel.
2019
Invest in United States mosaic-tile exportsStrategyBackground
United States anti-dumping duties on ceramic products originating in China created a possible competitive opportunity for suppliers from other countries.
Action taken
Lanka Tiles invested approximately LKR 200 million in an export initiative involving mosaic tiles, Foshan Shiwan Yulong Ceramic and Benjamin Malloy.
Aftermath
The initiative expanded the company's export ambitions, although the supplied sources do not quantify its subsequent sales or profitability.
Investment in United States mosaic-tile export initiative. LKR 200 million (2019)
2019
Expand contract manufacturing in IndiaStrategyBackground
The company faced competition from inexpensive Indian tile imports and had previously established an arrangement with Ambani Vitrified for glazed vitrified tile production.
Action taken
Lanka Tiles expanded its Indian contract-manufacturing activity.
Aftermath
The move gave the company an additional regional production route, but the available material does not provide measurable performance results.
2013
Accept acquisition of Lanka Ceramic by a Royal Ceramics-led consortiumM&ABackground
Lanka Tiles' parent company was subject to the Sri Lankan government's broader privatisation process and later private ownership. In 2013, a consortium led by Royal Ceramics pursued control of Lanka Ceramic.
Action taken
The consortium acquired an 80% stake in Lanka Ceramic, bringing Lanka Tiles into the Vallibel One Group.
Aftermath
The transaction integrated Lanka Tiles into Royal Ceramics' wider ceramics group and strengthened the acquirer's position in Sri Lanka's tile market.
Recent events
- 2022
Lanka Tiles restarts Indian manufacturing amid Sri Lankan demand weakness[1]
Other
During Sri Lanka's economic crisis, the company restarted tile manufacturing operations in India and considered opening a distribution channel there as local demand weakened and inventories accumulated.
- 2022
Lanka Tiles appears in Sri Lankan brand and LMD rankings[1]
Other
Lanka Tiles was reported as number 48 in a Sri Lankan 100 most valuable brands ranking and number 68 in the LMD 100 ranking of quoted companies by revenue.
- 2019
Lanka Tiles invests in United States mosaic-tile exports[1]
Other
The company invested approximately LKR 200 million in an initiative to export mosaic tiles to the United States, working with Foshan Shiwan Yulong Ceramic and Benjamin Malloy.
- 2019
Lanka Tiles expands Indian contract manufacturing[1]
Other
The company expanded contract manufacturing in India as a response to competition from lower-priced Indian imports and its broader regional supply strategy.
- 2013
Royal Ceramics-led consortium acquires control of Lanka Ceramic[1]
M&A
A consortium led by Royal Ceramics acquired 80% of Lanka Ceramic, bringing Lanka Tiles into the Vallibel One Group and consolidating Royal Ceramics' position in Sri Lanka's tile market.
- 2011
Lanka Tiles workers stage a second strike[1]
Other
A further labour stoppage involved 450 workers from a 580-person workforce. The workers later agreed to comply with the collective agreement.
- 2010
Workers resolve Lanka Tiles pay strike after 19 days[1]
Other
Lanka Tiles workers ended a strike over salary increases after negotiations with the trade union produced an agreement.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/lanka-tiles · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled