Delmege an integral part of Sri Lankan economy

The history of Delmege Forsyth & Co. Ltd. goes back to the year 1850, when Alexander Reid “established as a merchant in Pedlar Street Galle”. In 1865, the Delmege brothers, (Sam and Toby) arrived in Ceylon and went into partnership with James Reid who succeeded Alexander, setting up offices in Colombo and Galle

 It is recorded that the Delmege brothers had been working as Pilots and Collectors in the Mississippi River Steamer Service and had made a fortune in “running the blockade”. On the termination of the American Civil War, they left America and settled in Ceylon.

Between 1865 and 1892, the partnership successfully acquired many important agencies for Coal, Insurance and Steamships. In 1882 they were made agent for The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, forming a relationship that continues more than a 100 years later.

In 1872 E.T. Delmege became the Consular Agent for the United States.

Unfortunately the Delmege brothers fell out and in 1892 A. Forsyth joined E.T Delmege and formed Delmege Forsyth & Co. This company represented the Russian, Spanish and Portuguese Consulates and the Asiatic Petroleum Co. which was later to become the Shell Company of Ceylon.

Company activities centred around the import and distribution, of Australian flour, sugar from China and Java and salt from Port Said. Distribution was effected by establishing an island wide network of distributing agents.

This network still persists up to the present day — a century later.

Delmege has the distinction of pioneering the use and distribution of cheap kerosene oil for home lighting. Until this time village houses were solely dependent on coconut oil for illumination.

Today, Delmege Forsyth & Co Ltd, a member of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce for more than a hundred years has become a widely diversified Group of Companies.

While retaining and expanding their original business of imports, the Group has diversified into exports, airline services, travel, freight forwarding and more.

The Delmege Group has firmly established itself as an integral part of the Sri Lankan economy and strives to maintain this position, while continuing to seek opportunities for growth and development with both local and international partners.

The offices and warehouses of Delmege Forsyth & Co. Limited stand on 2 acres of prime property in the heart of the city of Colombo.

Business of Delmege Group comprises Transportation — Qatar Cargo, Freight, Shipping, Lewis Shipping, Lufthansa Cargo, Services — Delship Services, DALAS, Insurance Broking, Travel & Tourism — Travel Agent, Inbound & Outbound Tourism, Trading — Imports Food, Beverages, Medical & Laboratory Equipment, Pharmaceuticals, Power Tools & Accessories (including Black and Decker), Home appliances & White Goods, Consumer Electronics, Flooring, Hot Water Pipes,  Office Furniture, and Trading — Export Coconut Fibre Products, Organic Fertilisers, Coconut Products, Spices, Tea, Handicrafts and Cut Flowers & Foliage. Group companies include Delmege Distributors (Pvt) Ltd., Delmege Forsyth & Company (Exports) Ltd., Lewis Brown Air Services (Pvt) Ltd., Delmege Forsyth Tours (Pvt) Ltd., Delair Holidays, Delair Travels (Pvt) Ltd., Delmege Freight Services (Pvt) Ltd., Delmege Shipping Services (Pvt) Ltd., Delmege Construction Products (Pvt) Ltd., Delmege Insurance Brokers (Pvt) Ltd., Delmege Interior Decor (Pvt) Ltd. and Delmege Medical (Pvt) Ltd.