The Ceylon Brewery, the holding company of Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC, has posted a revenue of Rs.114.4 million in the year ended March 31, 2009, down slightly from Rs.119.3 million a year earlier and a profit of Rs.77.2 million after-tax, up from the previous year’s Rs.65.7 million.

This translated to an earnings per share of Rs.3.68, up from Rs.3.13 the previous year, and the directors have proposed a dividend of Rs.3 per share to shareholders sustaining the same dividend level paid the previous year.

The Ceylon Brewery owns 50.41% of Lion which is a joint venture with Carlsberg of Malaysia which owns 24.6% of that company.

Ceylon Brewery which no longer manufactures beer and acts as a holding company of Lion has a stated capital of Rs.533.4 million.

The company’s capital reserves stood at Rs.8.9 million at the end of the last financial year and revenue reserves at Rs.500.2 million.

Net assets per share during the year had grown to Rs.69.21 from Rs.67.76 the previous year.

The company’s share traded at a high of Rs.57 and a low of Rs.42.50 during the year against a trading range of Rs.90 to Rs.60 a year earlier.

Carson Cumberbatch PLC with 66.63% of Ceylon Brewery is the controlling shareholder followed by Carlsberg A/S with 7.99% and Gilpin Fund with 6.34%.