A Legacy Rooted in Excellence: John Keells PLC and the Story of Ceylon Tea
Ceylon Tea boasts a heritage that spans centuries, evolving in refinement and global appeal over time. Today, it stands as the world’s most consumed beverage after water—symbolising tradition, craftsmanship, and culture.
As eloquently expressed by Okakura Kakuzo,
“Tea is more than just an idealisation of the form of drinking. It is a religion of the art of life.”
The genesis of commercial tea cultivation in Sri Lanka—then Ceylon—began in 1867 when James Taylor, a Scottish planter, established the first tea plantation at the Loolecondera Estate in Deltota. This pivotal moment followed the decline of coffee, cocoa, and cinchona plantations, laying the foundation for Sri Lanka’s emergence as a global leader in tea production.
With a heritage dating back to the 1800s, John Keells PLC (JKL) has remained a cornerstone of the industry, upholding the highest standards in tea broking. Today, 95% of Sri Lanka’s tea production is exported worldwide, reinforcing our global relevance and impact.
As the pioneer of tea broking in Sri Lanka, JKL uses the auction-based trading model, built on principles of equity, transparency, and ethical commerce. Through this model, producers are guaranteed a fair market price, underpinned by competitive bidding and independent valuation.
Operating one of the most comprehensive platforms in the sector, JKL is one of the eight broking houses across tea and rubber, and extends warehousing services through its subsidiary—facilitating storage and logistical support between producers and buyers.
Our value proposition is further enhanced by our distinctive financial offering: JKL provides advance working capital to tea producers, based on post-evaluation assessments—supporting liquidity and continuity in production.
Our warehousing facility exemplifies our commitment to sustainability, currently being developed to operate on solar energy and function through paperless systems. These initiatives reflect our broader ESG agenda, as we strive to reduce our environmental footprint and contribute meaningfully to a greener future.
Through innovation, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, John Keells PLC continues to pursue its vision of becoming the world’s leading produce broker, creating lasting value for all stakeholders across the tea and rubber value chains.
The first online tea auction was conducted on Saturday, April 04th, 2021
John Keells PLC Celebrates 150 years of association with Ceylon Tea.
Mr. K. N. J. Balendra was appointed as the new Chairperson w.e.f. 01st January 2015 with the retirement of Mr. S. Ratnayake
Mr. K.N.J Balendra and Mr. J. G A Cooray were appointed as the new directors of John Keells PLC (wef 01st January 2018) with the retirement of Mr.A. D. Gunewardene and Mr. J. R.F. Peiris
In compliance with the Capital Adequacy Requirement implemented by The Colombo Stock Exchange on stock broking firms, JKPLC increased its investment in its subsidiary John Keells Stock Brokers (Pvt) Ltd by accepting the rights for 0.57 million shares.
To ensure compliance with the new Securities Exchange Commission directive, which was to come into effect from 1st January 2016, the shares of the Company, which were listed on the Main Board, were transferred to the Diri Savi Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange.
The Company disposed of its land at 130, Glennie Street Colombo 2.
The Board of Directors at a meeting held on 11th May 2011 resolved to increase the number of shares by way of a share sub-division based on a ratio of one (1) share for every (1) one share held. Consequently, the number of shares after the sub-division increased to 60.80 million shares from the previous 30.40 million shares.
The Board of Directors at a meeting held on 20th July 2010 resolved to increase the number of shares by way of share sub-division based on a ratio of one (1) share for every (1) one share held. Consequently.
the number of shares after the sub -division increased to 30.40 million shares from 15.20 million shares.
The name of the Company was changed to John Keells PLC which is a new requirement of the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007
V. Lintotawela retired as Chairperson on 31st December 2005 and S. Ratnayake took over as Chairperson on 01st January 2006
The state-of-the-art warehouse of John Keells Warehousing (Pvt) Ltd, which is the largest hi-tech tea warehouse in this part of the region was commissioned for storing pre-auctioned produce.
V. Lintotawela took over as Chairperson on 1st January 2001. John Keells Limited incorporated John Keells Warehousing (Pvt) Ltd a fully owned subsidiary with B.O.I status.
K. Balendra retired as Chairperson on 31st December 2000.
Financial Statements of the associates Keells Realtors Ltd and International Tourists and Hoteliers Ltd. were incorporated to the Consolidated Accounts.
K. Balendra took over as Chairperson, the first Sri Lankan to hold this position. John Keells Limited, acquired controlling interests in John Keells Stock brokers (Pvt) Ltd.
John Keells Holdings PLC acquired the controlling interest of John Keells Limited, M.C. Bostock retired and D.J.M. Blackler took over as the Chairperson of the Company.
John Keells Limited, became a People’s Company
John Keells Limited moved its offices to Glennie Street, Slave Island.
M. C. Bostock was elected Chairperson of the Company.
The initial step towards diversification of the activities of the Company was taken with the acquisition of Ceylon Mineral Waters Ltd.
The firm moved to the sixth floor of the then The firm moved to the sixth floor of the then newly constructed Ceylinco House.
E. John, Thompson, White and Co. Ltd., amalgamated with Keells and Waldock Ltd. The name was changed to John Keells Thompson White Ltd. This Company had its office in the National Mutual Insurance Company building in Chatham Street. The first Chairperson of the Company was Douglas Armitage and, on his retirement, he was succeeded by A.G.R. Willis. The Company acquired its Glennie Street premises from Dodwell and Company which were initially used as a warehouse.
E. John and Co. amalgamated with two London Tea Broking firms, William Jas and Hy Thompson and Co. and Geo White and Co. The firm was then incorporated as a private limited liability company and the name was changed to E. John, Thompson, White and Co. Ltd.
Reginald John was taken into the partnership of E. John and Co. By this time, business was growing quite rapidly in tea, shares, oil, and exchange.
Prospects began to improve rapidly with the approaching tea business.
This partnership was dissolved, and Edwin John started an establishment of his own titled “E. John” and carried on the business of produce and exchange broking. The first decade of business of E. John was one of low activity. Villers records this period thus, “Business in those days was very limited. Coffee had all but gone out, Tea had not expanded sufficiently and the little business in Chinchona was not enough to go around. During this period, Reginald, son of Edwin John, joined his father in Ceylon.
A partnership styled “John Brothers and Company” was formed with offices situated in Colombo and Kandy.
Edwin John came to Ceylon, as the Island was then called, to join his brother George. Together, they established themselves as Produce and Exchange Brokers.
John Keells PLC
PQ 11
John Keells Stockbrokers (Pvt) Limited
John Keells Warehousing (Pvt) Limited
Public Limited Liability Company listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. (Incorporated in Sri Lanka in 1960)
No 117,
Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha
Colombo 2, Sri Lanka
Tel:0094 11 2306000
Telelax: 0094 11 2342456
E-mail:jkl@keells.com
No 186, Vauxhall Street,
Colombo 2.
Mr. K N J Balendra
Mr. P D Samarasinghe
Mr. J G A Cooray
Mr. A Z Hashim
Mr. N W Ravi Wijewantha
Ms. B A I Rajakarier
Mr. C N Wijewardane
Mr. A K Gunawardhana
Keells Constultants (Pvt) Limited
No 117,
Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner Mawatha
Colombo 2
Tea Department
Tea Department
Tea Department
Rubber Department
Cataloguing Department
Back Office and Claims Department
Finance Department
Finance Department
Human Resources Department
John Keells Warehousing (Pvt) Ltd
Finance Manager – JKPLC
Senior Manager – Tea
