Don Carolis Legacy Rooted in Time
Don Carolis is Sri Lanka’s oldest furniture manufacturer and one of the country’s longest-standing companies — now in its sixth generation as a family enterprise, continuing a legacy that began over 160 years ago. Established in 1860, the company has been a part of Sri Lanka’s social and economic fabric for generations — crafting furniture that has shaped homes, institutions, and public life across the island and beyond. Anagarika Dharmapala Organization
A Young Visionary in Colonial Ceylon
The company was founded by Mudaliyar Don Carolis Hewavitharane, a pioneering local entrepreneur from Matara, who was just 27 years old when he saw an opportunity amid the booming plantation economy of colonial Ceylon. At a time when most furniture was imported and largely inaccessible, he recognised a growing demand from the country’s planters, merchants, and professionals for solid, well-designed, locally crafted furniture. Working with skilled carpenters from Moratuwa, he began producing European-style furniture with indigenous hardwoods like satinwood, calamander, jak, and ebony — combining craftsmanship, elegance, and local sensibility.
The Birth of Local Industry
As demand grew, the business expanded from a small workshop at Keyzer Street in Pettah — where the company’s head office still stands today — into a much larger operation. In 1886, Don Carolis became Sri Lanka’s first furniture exporter, shipping to Australia, and later to India, Burma, South Africa, England, and the United States. When an Indo-African syndicate was established in London in 1895 to supply furniture to South Africa, the company expanded its workforce and opened a larger factory in Slave Island — later known as the Ceylon Steam Furniture Works.
Powered by Steam, Built by Hand
Powered by a 30-horsepower steam engine, the factory became one of the country’s first industrial manufacturing facilities. Timber was floated down canals and lakes by raft and processed on the banks of the Beira Lake. By the turn of the century, the business employed over 250 workers and even operated a free industrial school for carpentry training — a testament to its founder’s values of skill development, social upliftment, and long-term employment. Many workers served with the company for decades — some for over 30 years.
A Business With Conscience
Don Carolis was not only an early industrialist but also a philanthropist and reformer who believed deeply in education and social progress. While devout in his personal beliefs, his greatest legacy lies in creating opportunities for generations of Sri Lankans to learn, build, and thrive through skilled enterprise. He remained committed to industrial development throughout his life — even setting aside Rs. 30,000 (a fortune at the time) to support industrial education and to send local youth to study modern methods in Japan.
The Second Generation and International Growth
After his death in 1906, the business passed to his sons Edmund and Simon, who studied advanced manufacturing methods abroad and further expanded the company’s reach and scope. The showroom grew to nearly three acres in Pettah, with three separate centres showcasing everything from finely carved cabinets and stately drawing room suites to household furniture, iron beds, spring mattresses, carpets, crockery, and rattanware.
Global Recognition, Local Excellence
The reputation of Don Carolis furniture grew internationally as well, with pieces winning awards at the Paris Exhibition (1900), Indian Industrial Exhibition (1901), and the St. Louis World Fair (1904). These accolades confirmed what locals already knew — that the furniture crafted in Sri Lanka was world-class.
Serving the Nation
Through the decades, Don Carolis has remained a symbol of trust, quality, and timeless design. From royal commissions to national institutions — including a 17-piece bedroom suite gifted to Queen Elizabeth II in 1948, and furniture for the Sri Lankan Parliament, embassies, temples, hotels, and homes — our pieces have stood the test of time.
A Legacy in Motion
Today, the company remains proudly in the hands of the founding family. Now in its sixth generation, H. Don Carolis blends its rich heritage with modern manufacturing, operating advanced facilities while remaining committed to ethical sourcing and hand-finished quality. Our furniture is still made with care, from hardwoods grown on Sri Lankan soil, crafted by hands that have inherited generations of skill, and designed to last across lifetimes.
Built on Trust, Across Generations
From a single shop in Pettah to homes across the world, our legacy is not just built in wood — it’s built in vision, values, and generations of trust.
Continuing the Journey
Today, Don Carolis continues to evolve while remaining anchored in its founding principles. As a sixth-generation family enterprise, we are investing in the future through thoughtful design, sustainable practices, and deepened partnerships across hospitality, residential, and institutional sectors. From furnishing five-star resorts and diplomatic missions to crafting heirloom-quality pieces for modern homes, our work is a continuation of a story that began in 1860 — one that blends history and innovation with a singular purpose: to craft furniture of enduring value, beauty, and purpose. New projects are underway that reflect our commitment to this mission, as we prepare for the next chapter in our story — one that remains proudly Sri Lankan, built with heart and hand, and meant to last for generations to come.
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.
1885
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.
1970
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