The George Steuart Group of Companies (George Steuarts) is Sri Lanka’s oldest mercantile establishment, having been established in 1835 during British occupation of Ceylon. It is probably one of the oldest mercantile entities in the world, with a recorded history dating back to the early 19th century. Having begun operations as a merchant banker and then a produce broker, George Steuarts today includes businesses engaged in tea, exports, health, leisure, travel, real estate, telecommunications, shipping, insurance, recruitment and higher education.