Innovative Projects
Lina Manufacturing
Project 3x
Lina Manufacturing is the sole manufacturer of Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) in Sri Lanka, responsible for fulfilling the entire government demand. Prior to Project 3X, Lina operated with a manufacturing capacity of 450,000 canisters per month. This created a risk of falling short of national demand, even when operating at full capacity.
To mitigate this risk, Project 3X was initiated. Phase 1 of the project has now been successfully completed with the installation of a second filling line. As a result, Lina’s monthly production capacity has increased to approximately 600,000 canisters.
This enhancement has significantly closed the gap between the country’s MDI demand and supply. Moreover, the expanded capacity enables Lina to serve not only the government sector but also enter the private market and collaborate with CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation) partners.
Through this collaboration, Healthguard Distribution will leverage its extensive island-wide network and logistics expertise to distribute Micro Healthcare’s comprehensive product offering, thereby enhancing the availability of essential medications.
“Micro Healthcare shares our values of quality, integrity, and patient-centric care.”
Shyam Sathasivam
Chief Executive Officer
“This partnership reinforces our ongoing commitment to elevating healthcare standards in Sri Lanka by aligning with globally trusted pharmaceutical brands,” said Healthguard Distribution Chief Executive Officer Shantha Bandara. “Micro Healthcare shares our values of quality, integrity, and patient-centric care, and we are excited to join forces in expanding access to world-class medicines.”
The project team has already commenced Phase 2, which involves the implementation of a fully automated MDI production line. This line is expected to be operational by the end of this year. Phase 2 further reinforces Lina Manufacturing’s commitment to a future-ready manufacturing setup, incorporating advanced technologies and minimal human intervention. This strategic upgrade will enhance operational efficiency and ensure consistent, high-quality production of essential medicines.
New SKUs
Lina Manufacturing Limited which is the pioneer in the production of inhalers for respiratory disease, is the only local manufacturer of pressurised metered dose inhalers in Sri Lanka.
Apart from the supply of locally manufactured products to the Ministry of Health and the private sector, Lina is also a leader in contract manufacturing of locally manufactured pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products for other pharmaceutical marketing companies.
As of the end of FY25, Lina has moved beyond its initial contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) agreement with Kalbe International (which manufactured three leading nutraceutical brands). Lina now holds new contractual agreements with two major Indian pharmaceutical companies, ZydusCadila and Mankind Pharma, as well as Truvic Private Limited, a leading local pharma importer. Truvic’s new strategy to capture the respiratory market is particularly noteworthy, marked by the launch of their inhalers, manufactured by Lina under the Truvic brand, in July 2025.
Lina has increased its CDMO manufacturing output from 3 to 13 registered SKUs in the past two years. This growth is set to accelerate, as an additional 25 SKUs are currently in the regulatory pipeline. Once these products receive registration from the NMRA, their manufacturing process will immediately commence at LML
Lina Production System (LPS)
Merit Award Winner – Best Management Practices Company Awards 2024
Lina Manufacturing was honoured with a Merit Award at the CPM Best Management Practices Company Awards 2024, presented by the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers of Sri Lanka. This recognition celebrates the success of the Lina Production System (LPS), our customised lean manufacturing framework built on Lean and Six Sigma principles.
LPS was introduced to overcome capacity constraints and inefficiencies and has since become a core part of our operational DNA. The system is structured around eight key pillars.
- Lean Six Sigma
- Performance Management
- Problem Solving
- 5S & Kaizen
- First Line Leadership (FLL) Framework
- Digital Journey
- Quality
- Health, Safety & Environment
Sunshine Base Camp - A contemporary HR innovation
Best Project – 2024: Material Waste Reduction in DPI Capsule Manufacturing Process (Lina Manufacturing)
In line with Sunshine Holdings PLC’s long-term leadership development strategy, the Postgraduate Institute of Management (PIM) launched a customised Base Camp under its Executive Development Programmes (EDP) cluster. This initiative brought together 43 high-potential team members from across the group’s subsidiaries, guiding them through an intensive journey focused on contemporary management competencies and practical action projects.
Among the standout achievements, the project conducted at Lina Manufacturing on Material Waste Reduction in the DPI Capsule Manufacturing Process was recognised as the Best Project Award winner at Sunshine Spotlight 2024.
This project implemented a practical, data-driven approach to identify, analyse, and minimise material wastage in DPI capsule production by optimising process steps, enhancing operator training, and introducing simple yet effective modifications.
These pillars collectively drive continuous improvement, shop-floor leadership, and a culture of problem-solving and digital transformation.
Flagship Lean projects such as “Project 20/20”, “Optipak”, and “Timetrim” significantly enhanced our MDI filling and packing lines, delivering a 48.6% increase in capacity, enabling us to meet national demand with greater efficiency.