In 1844, William Miller and David Sime Cargills commenced a general warehouse, import and wholesale business in the heart of Fort in Colombo. Once a simple establishment with humble beginnings, this transformed into one of Sri Lankas leading consumer good entities. Initially known as the House of Cargills, the business was incorporated as a Public Limited Liability Company on the 1st March 1946 under the guidance of the first Chairman, Sir Chittampalam A Gardiner. Over a quarter of a century later, the controlling interest of the Company was attained by Ceylon Theatres through the visionary leadership of Mr. Albert A. Page in 1981.