Calton Group of Companies

It started with a BMC lorry and Rs. 6000/= in 1979. Deshamanya Dinayadura Somachandra De Silva, a young 27 year old from Minuwangoda, started transporting Coconuts and Pineapple from Minuwangoda to Jaffna and Dried Fish, Chilies and Onions from Jaffna to Negombo. Young Silva’s experience in the field span back 10 years, supporting his father’s enterprise, learning the hardships, failures and facing several unpleasant encounters. He considered these as blessings and opportunities to learn from. With the Rs. 6000/= as a present from his father, he now ventured into his own business with hope. Calton Stores saw birth in 1983 with four employees. Its doors opened daily before other stores in the area and shut late at night where the only lights to be seen were at Calton Stores. This provided quick and easy shopping access for customers at their convenience. Friendly and respective customer service, efficient goods delivery service to shop or home, fast over the counter service, gaining the trust of customers were considered important in the daily operations. Orient Trading, Nestle, Coco Cola and CPC Lanka companies each paired up with Calton, recognising its efficiency as their distribution company, in Negombo. A complex and developing community has many changing requirements. Negombo, becoming a hub for commercial activities and a tourist destination, was dynamic. Realising the needs for quality and fresh food for visitors to Negombo, the company’s new arm, the Bakery, was established in 1990 with the collaboration of experienced confectioners. Calton Hypermarket was then established in the year 2007. An entrepreneur with diverse interests, Deshamanya Somachandra De Silva’s attention to other ventures saw the groups including the provision of Q Bond cladding to Sri Lanka in its hosts of sectors. Another successful effort in entering another industry is the launch of CCM Agro, which has proven itself in helping uplift the agro industry in Sri Lanka.