The Cargills & Millers Building

In 1844, William Miller and David Sime Cargill commenced a general warehouse, import and wholesale business in Colombo, Fort. The establishment was named the 'House of Cargills'. A successful bid by Sir Chittampalam A. Gardiner saw the House of Cargills being incorporated as a Public Limited Liability Company on 1 March 1946.

Millers and Cargills (Ceylon) Ltd, two firms dating back from the British colonial era, said they were merging as part of a restructuring within the Ceylon Theatres group to which they now belong.

Cargills (Ceylon) Ltd and Millers plc both own landmark buildings in Colombo Fort, and are Sri Lanka's first department stores, built during British colonial times.

The merger decision was taken at board meetings of the companies on August 02, the companies said in statements to the Colombo Stock Exchange.

"The Ceylon Theatres group, recognising the growth into diversified sectors, is now of the view that the group's activities should be sectorised for future growth," the company statement said.

"Accordingly, as a first step, . . . it was resolved to commence negotiations leading to the merger of Ceylon Theatres Ltd and Millers plc."

Under the proposed merger framework, minority shareholders of Millers will be offered shares in Ceylon Theatres in return for their holding in Millers on a basis to be determined.

The current operations of Millers are to be consolidated under a single operating structure under Cargills.

The Ceylon Theatres group is controlled by the Page family. Cargills now runs Sri Lanka's largest supermarket chain branded 'Food City.'