Our Story
History & Milestones
A Tradition Of Quality Continued
A family owned enterprise over 150 years strong, our company has continued to grow from strength to strength. Keeping up our renowned tradition of quality and highest of standards as of yesteryear, our new Home Store - the largest in Sri Lanka today, provides the best in home needs, very much in step with the ever changing lifestyles and needs of the 21st century.
Milestones
A Few Significant Milestones From Our Illustrious Past - Click to View
1860
Mudaliyar Don Carolis Hewavitarane who was operating a small scale workshop at his home in Matara, establishes H. Don Carolis & Sons (Pvt) Ltd., manufacturers of fine crafted wooden furniture to meet the increasing demands of the coffee, coconut and plumbago industries for furniture, casks and barrels. The workshop moves to modest premises in Keyzer Street, Pettah. They continue to meet the demands for solid crafted furniture to European styles but at moderate prices.
1886
Setting a precedent, the company becomes the first national enterprise to export furniture, sending consignments of goods to Australia. Venturing further afield, orders are also taken from India, Burma, the Straits settlements, the government of South Africa, United Kingdom and USA.
1895
An Indo-African syndicate is formed to further expand exports to South Africa.
1900
The company takes part in the Paris Exhibition, and products win Gold and Silver awards.
1901
Participates in the Indian Industrial Exhibition.
1904
Participates in the St. Louise Exposition. The showroom and offices move to premises in 1st Cross Street, Pettah. The workshop also shifts to bigger premises in Slave Island and renamed as Colombo Steam Furniture Works. A 30 H.P steam engine is used to saw timber. The labour force rises to around 250 persons with training being given to youth in carpentry.
1905
Arnold White comments on the merits of the company in his significant work "The 20th Century Impressions of Ceylon"
1907
A mail order catalogue system is introduced - A unique idea at that time. The extensive showroom occupied nearly three acres (Approximately 13000 square meters/150000 square feet) and was the first department store in Asia with over 50 departments offering everything from furniture, upholstery, rattan and cane goods, coir matting, lamps, crockery, cutlery, iron beds, spring mattresses, marble clocks, carpets, fabrics and more.
Don Carolis Hewavitharana continues beneficiary activities to Buddhist causes - becomes the founder of Vidyodaya Pirivena. His son David enters priesthood and is better known as the heroic figure Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala.
1908
Upon the demise of Don Carolis Hewavitharana , his sons take over the management of the company.
1924
Taking part in the World Trade Exposition at Wembley, England, the company creates a unique stall for the country, building an intricate wooden replica of the Sri Dalada Maligawa (The Sacred Temple of the Tooth in Kandy).
1930
The first company to introduce Peugeot cars and Raleigh bicycles to Ceylon.
1948
An important commission is received from the Government of Ceylon to create a seventeen piece bedroom suite as a wedding gift to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the II.
1960
To offer an additional range of modern furniture, a designer was brought in from overseas and a distinctive range of furniture was offered to the local market. A centenary sale is held at Keyzer Street and the "new furniture gallery" opens in November.
Late 1970's
A significant move is made away from custom built furniture to quantity production - whilst maintaining high standards, incorporating modern designs to meet increasing demand. Large scale contracts are also taken on from commercial enterprises and big organizations such as banks, hotels and government institutions. The company continues to hold the unique privilege of providing furniture to both the new and old Parliaments of Sri Lanka, the President's House and offices and the Prime Minister's Residence.
2006
The warehouse opens as a showroom promoting "inspired living" at Vauxhall Street, Colombo 2. Investments of Rs. 118 million made towards expansion of factory complex in Kalutara.
2009
Factory opens in Kalutara.
2012
Opening of our New Showroom in November 2012
Facilities
Manufacturing: The best from both worlds - old and new
A family owned enterprise over 150 years strong, our company has continued to grow from strength to strength. Keeping up our renowned tradition of quality and highest of standards as of yesteryear, our new Home Store - the largest in Sri Lanka today, provides the best in home needs, very much in step with the ever changing lifestyles and needs of the 21st century.
Solutions
Home Solutions
At Don Carolis, we have everything you need to make your home simply perfect. From fine furniture, furnishings, accessories and more, we have it in store for you. A truly extensive range that spans myriad designs - traditional, modern, rustic or high tech, it's all yours to choose from. Prefer to create your own? We also offer custom made furniture and complete solutions to your specifications and colour themes too. Over the years our name has become synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship and flawless quality and you can rest assured that every purchase you make from us still carries that same hallmark of excellence.
Corporate Solutions
Whether you are looking for an elegant office desk or an ideal office itself we have all you need to fit and furnish your corporate premises. From individual items to complete solutions we offer you the highest quality and the widest choice be they custom made or picked from our showrooms. With a total solution, we handle every aspect from interior design to decor: Furniture, fittings, carpets, ceilings, lighting, storage, portioning, blinds, curtains - in fact, everything to make your office complete. We have been the first and trusted choice for a century and a half for many of the leading corporates and government institutions whom we continue to serve today. The same standard of quality and excellence is guaranteed for every corporate solution we provide for you too.
Facilities
CSR: Creating value from waste
It is our deepest commitment to be a 100% green company and we are continuing to find new and innovative ways to restore and preserve the environment on which our very industry depends on. Strong emphasis on minimum pollution and maximum recycling is practiced at every stage of our operations. We are the first and only manufacturer to start a 'sawdust bricketing' plant which is totally eco friendly. The sawdust and debris which would otherwise be discarded is recycled into 'brickets' - which are then used in place of firewood to dry timber for instance. This operation also creates employment for many locals who collect sawdust and waste from other mills, which are then purchased by us. It also serves to enable the smaller wood mills to dispose of sawdust and waste in an environmentally friendly manner.
By encouraging the use of 'brickets', we are also helping to reduce the amount of trees being felled for firewood. As these brickets are made to eco - standards with no chemicals and pressure binding, they are 100% natural, cost less and provide an effective Green solution to industries such as Tea which require heavy use of firewood. We already provide sawdust brickets to several leading names in the plantations and garments sectors.