Highland wins Most Popular Dairy Brand at 2025 SLIM-Kantar People’s Awards

Highland, Sri Lanka’s most beloved dairy brand, was recently crowned the Most Popular Dairy Brand of the Year at the prestigious 2025 SLIM-Kantar People’s Awards.

This accolade is a testament to the brand’s enduring legacy of quality, trust, and excellence, which has been cherished by generations of Sri Lankans since its inception in 1956. However, this victory is not just a celebration of its past achievements but also a miraculous story of resilience and revival.

The SLIM-Kantar People’s Awards, organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), is a unique platform that celebrates brands and personalities that resonate deeply with the hearts of the Sri Lankan people. Unlike traditional awards based solely on survey data, these awards are distinguished by their emphasis on consumer preferences and insights from a panel of experts. This approach ensures that the winners truly reflect the voices and choices of the people, making Highland’s victory all the more significant.

For nearly seven decades, Highland has been a household name, synonymous with freshness, quality, and nutritional value. From its humble beginnings in 1956, the brand has grown to become an integral part of Sri Lankan culture, providing families with wholesome dairy products that meet the highest standards of excellence. Whether it’s their rich and creamy milk, delicious yogurts, or innovative dairy offerings, Highland has consistently delivered products that Sri Lankans trust and love.

The 2025 SLIM-Kantar People’s Award is not just a recognition of Highland’s market leadership but also a celebration of its deep connection with consumers. This award underscores the brand’s commitment to understanding and fulfilling the needs of its customers, ensuring that every product bearing the Highland name is a reflection of their dedication to quality and innovation.

However, this achievement is all the more extraordinary considering the challenges Highland faced a year ago. In 2024, the brand was on the verge of liquidation, a devastating prospect for a company that had been a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s dairy industry for over six decades. The turning point came with the new Government that came to power in September 2024. In a revolutionary move, the Government halted the liquidation process and appointed a new board of directors, a decision taken by the Minister of Agriculture, Lalkantha, and Deputy Ministers, Namal Karunaratne and Susil Ranasinghe. This bold move not only saved Highland from collapse but also set the stage for its remarkable revival.

Under the new leadership, Highland underwent a transformative journey, revitalising its operations, reconnecting with its loyal customer base, and reaffirming its commitment to quality and excellence. The brand’s resurgence is a testament to the power of visionary leadership and the unwavering support of the Sri Lankan people, who refused to let an iconic brand fade away.

As Highland continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of modern consumers, this award serves as a reminder of the brand’s unwavering commitment to excellence. It is a tribute to the generations of Sri Lankans who have trusted Highland to nourish their families and a promise to future generations that the brand will continue to uphold its legacy of quality and trust.

In a world where consumer preferences are constantly evolving, Highland’s recognition at the SLIM-Kantar People’s Awards is a powerful affirmation of its enduring relevance and popularity. This achievement is not just a milestone for the brand but also a celebration of the trust and loyalty of the Sri Lankan people, who have made Highland a part of their lives for over six decades.

As Highland looks to the future, it remains committed to its core values of quality, excellence, and innovation. With the support of its loyal consumers and the dedication of its team, the brand is poised to continue its journey as Sri Lanka’s most trusted and beloved dairy brand for generations to come. The story of Highland is not just one of success but also of resilience, revival, and the enduring bond between a brand and its people.