Maliban is the biscuit brand most Sri Lankans grew up eating. From cream crackers shared at a roadside tea stall to lemon puffs tucked into a school bag, Maliban products have been a fixture of everyday life on the island for seven decades. The company's journey from a single street-front bakery to an export-grade manufacturer is one of the more quietly remarkable stories in Sri Lankan business history.
How did Maliban get started?
The origins of Maliban trace back to 1935, when Angulugaha Gamage Hinni Appuhamy — known to most as Hinney Appuhamy — opened the Maliban Hotel in Colombo's Pettah district. The hotel took its name from Maliban Street, the road on which it stood. Over the next two decades he expanded steadily, opening a second hotel on First Cross Street and a third on Norris Road.
Hinney Appuhamy later invited his brothers Wickramapala and Jinadasa to join the enterprise. Together they diversified into a bakery, a biscuit factory, and an ice cream operation. The decisive moment came in 1954, when they acquired a Baker Perkins production facility — at the time, one of the more advanced pieces of food-manufacturing equipment available — and committed fully to the biscuit trade.
What made Maliban biscuits different from the start?
Hinney Appuhamy held an unusual standard for the era: every batch of biscuits had to pass a family taste test before it left the factory. His reasoning was straightforward — if the product was not good enough for his own household, it had no business going to customers. That early commitment to quality shaped the company's culture long after the founding generation had stepped back.
The philosophy resonated with consumers. At a time when imported biscuits carried a certain prestige, Maliban built loyalty by being consistently good and consistently affordable, something families across all income levels could rely on.
Where are Maliban biscuits made today?
The company's manufacturing operations have grown well beyond the original Pettah premises. Maliban now employs more than 1,250 people and produces upwards of 25 million packs of biscuits each year. The product range covers sweet biscuits, cream sandwiches, crackers, wafers, and savoury snacks — a spread that reflects both the diversity of Sri Lankan snacking habits and the company's ambition to compete across multiple categories.
Does Maliban export outside Sri Lanka?
Maliban exports to around 35 countries, making it one of the most widely distributed Sri Lankan food brands internationally. The export range tends to focus on products with broad appeal — cream crackers, gold marie biscuits, and cream sandwiches — that travel well and suit a variety of markets. For members of the Sri Lankan diaspora in particular, Maliban products carry a strong sense of home.
What are the most popular Maliban products?
The range is broad, but a few lines have become staples. Cream crackers are perhaps the most universally known, eaten plain or alongside Sri Lankan spreads and chutneys. The Gold Marie biscuit — a classic plain sweet biscuit — is the standard accompaniment to Ceylon tea across offices and households alike. Cream sandwich biscuits in custard and chocolate variants are perennial favourites, and the Lemon Puff has a dedicated following among those who prefer something lighter and tangier.
Savoury options such as the Spicy Cracker and Krisco snack crackers have broadened the brand's appeal among snack buyers who prefer less sweetness. Maliban also produces a tea under its own label, completing its position as a brand that covers the entire tea-break ritual.
Where can you buy Maliban products in Sri Lanka?
Maliban biscuits are available at virtually every grocery shop, supermarket, and roadside kade (small convenience store) in Sri Lanka. Most hotels and guesthouses keep them in stock as well. Visitors who want to bring a selection home as gifts or souvenirs will find supermarkets in Colombo, Kandy, and other major towns carry the widest variety of pack sizes. Lakpura also stocks a curated selection of Maliban products for travellers who prefer to shop online and have items ready on arrival.
Are Maliban products suitable for visitors with dietary considerations?
Maliban produces both sweet and savoury lines, some of which are vegetarian-friendly by default. Ingredients vary by product, so visitors with specific dietary requirements — allergies to dairy, gluten, or nuts, for example — should check individual packaging. The company's labelling generally follows Sri Lanka's food-safety standards, and the ingredient list is printed on every pack.
