LINDEL Industrial Estate

In Sri Lanka, a groundbreaking endeavor took root in 1992 with the establishment of LINDEL Industrial Estate, a flagship project by Lanka Industrial Estates Ltd. (LINDEL), a subsidiary of DFCC Bank PLC. As the country’s premier private sector-owned and operated industrial estate, LINDEL embarked on its mission to develop, operate, and manage industrial estates within Sri Lanka. Its maiden endeavor involved the transformation of the defunct State Fertilizer Manufacturing Corporation’s infrastructure at Sapugaskanda into the pioneering LINDEL Industrial Estate.

LINDEL prides itself on delivering an unparalleled spectrum of infrastructure and allied services to its clientele. Its relentless pursuit of excellence strives to surpass industry standards, setting a new benchmark for industrial estates within Sri Lanka. A collaborative effort between DFCC Bank PLC and the Government of Sri Lanka, LINDEL Industrial Estate stands as a resounding success story of public-private partnership. Stretching over 125 acres, the estate is a thriving ecosystem housing several enterprises, including prestigious Fortune 500 companies.

Inaugurating the LINDEL industrial Estate experience

Lanka Industrial Estates Ltd (LINDEL), a subsidiary of DFCC Bank PLC, entered the scene in 1992 as a strategic alliance between the bank and the Sri Lankan government. The company’s primary objective was to metamorphose the site of the State Fertilizer Manufacturing Corporation at Sapugaskanda into an industrial estate. Thus, LINDEL emerged as Sri Lanka’s inaugural private sector-owned industrial estate developer and operator. Presently occupying 105 acres, the Sapugaskanda site houses 36 diverse businesses, spanning Agriculture, Chemicals, FMCG, Logistics, Lubricants, Metal Fabrication, Packaging, and Power Generation. With a commitment to complete infrastructure and utilities provision, LINDEL consistently invests in enhancing and maintaining its service offerings.

Ensuring client satisfaction, LINDEL takes immense pride in surpassing industry standards, rendering superior services that outshine the competition within Sri Lanka.

Unilever Expands at Lindel Industrial Estate with New Foods Factory

Unilever Sri Lanka inaugurated a new Foods Factory at the Lindel Industrial Processing Zone in Sapugaskanda on February 25, 2025. The facility, launched by Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi alongside Unilever Sri Lanka CEO Ali Tariq, will produce malt-based food drink brands Viva and Horlicks, which were previously imported.

Constructed during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, the factory strengthens Unilever’s commitment to local manufacturing, reducing foreign currency outflows while ensuring affordable, nutritious products for consumers. The facility incorporates advanced technology, enhancing efficiency and sustainability, and is expected to generate employment across the supply chain.

Ali Tariq emphasized the factory’s role in boosting economic development, while Supply Chain Director Damith Abeyratne highlighted its focus on food security, safety, and sustainable industrial practices. Minister Handunneththi praised Unilever’s investment as a step toward self-sufficiency, job creation, and technology transfer.

This new factory is Unilever Sri Lanka’s fourth local manufacturing site, joining those in Horana BOI Zone, Lindel Industrial Estate, and Agarapathana. With this investment, 98% of Unilever Sri Lanka’s product volumes will now be locally produced, strengthening domestic production and creating capacity for potential exports.

Lanka Special Steels: Elevating Capacity with LINDEL Industrial Estate

The E.B. Creasy Group’s Lanka Special Steels (LSSL), renowned for GI wire manufacturing, unveiled its advanced manufacturing facility within LINDEL Industrial Estate at Sapugaskanda. Bolstered by world-class European machinery, this milestone marks a significant leap forward in LSSL’s journey to enhance production capacity and extend its market influence. With an investment of Rs. 1200 million, LSSL aims to elevate its production capacity from 15,000 MT to 30,000 MT per annum. This strategic expansion empowers LSSL to cater to growing domestic demands and fortify its position as a robust contender in the export market.

Nestled in close proximity to the Sapugaskanda Refinery, LINDEL Industrial Estate benefits from its strategic locale. This expansive oil refinery, the largest in Sri Lanka, was established in 1969 and stands as a vital national asset. Covering an extensive area of 165 acres, the refinery boasts a capacity of 50,000 barrels per stream day. The refinery’s in-house utilities section caters to operational necessities, contributing to seamless operations. A vast array of storage tanks, including those for crude oil and finished products, complement the facility.

Recognitions and Accolades

LINDEL’s unwavering commitment to excellence earned it the prestigious TAGS Silver Award for Best Annual Report in the Land and Property Sector. This recognition echoes LINDEL’s dedication to transparency and industry-best practices, solidifying its position as a vanguard in Sri Lanka’s industrial infrastructure landscape.

LINDEL Industrial Estate’s transformative journey underscores the synergy between private and public sectors in driving innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development within Sri Lanka.

Additional Details

• Total area: 125 acres
• Plot sizes: Industrial plots in one to four acre lots
• Electricity supply: A 10 MW primary substation located within the Industrial Estate and maintained by the Ceylon Electricity Board. It supplies three-phase electricity through a 11 KV grid system
• Wastewater treatment: Waste water pre-treated by industrialists which conforms to the pre-treatment standard prescribed by LINDEL. Collected into a common effluent pond through a network of pipe lines. Then further treated by LINDEL before discharging into the Kelani river.
• Water supply: Capable of supplying up to 9,000 cubic metres of treated water per day.
• Drainage / flood protection: A network of built up drains and culverts drain storm water up to an hourly intensity of 50 mm of rainfall making it adequate to cover the maximum rain intensity in Sri Lanka.
• Security: Located in a high security zone which is under close scrutiny by the Police and the Army. The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s Refinery, diesel power plants, and other important installations are close.
• Internal road system