Sri Lanka signs landmark agreement with ESCAP-CSAM to enhance agricultural machinery standards

The Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), through its Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Mechanisation (CSAM), signed a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) during a special ceremony held at CIAME Asia 2025 – Thailand International Agricultural Machinery Exhibition on 23 July, in Bangkok. 

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, witnessed the signing of the MoA. 

Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) Director General Dr. Siddhika G. Senaratne, signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, and ESCAP Director of Strategy and Program Management Division Adnan Aliani, signed on behalf of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

The SLSI, plays a pivotal role in formulating national standards that meet domestic requirements while aligning with international best practices. Through this agreement, SLSI and ESCAP-CSAM will jointly lead the process of adopting and localising regionally harmonised ANTAM test codes for agricultural machinery in Sri Lanka.

By institutionalising these test codes, the MoA aims to enhance the safety, quality, and efficiency of agricultural machinery in the country. It supports Sri Lanka’s broader agenda for agricultural modernisation, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability—ultimately benefiting farmers through improved machinery performance, trade facilitation, and safer working conditions.

Ambassador Wijayanthi Edirisinghe commended ESCAP-CSAM’s leadership and SLSI’s proactive engagement. She emphasised the critical role of partnerships in advancing food security, agricultural productivity, and rural livelihoods.

“This agreement reflects Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to sustainable agriculture and regional cooperation. As Ambassador and Permanent Representative to ESCAP, I am proud to witness this milestone and reaffirm our continued support for impactful initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she stated.

While delivering the introductory remarks, SLSI Chief Dr. Siddhika Senarathne emphasised that this partnership, established under the framework of the Asian and Pacific Network for Testing of Agricultural Machinery (ANTAM), marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s efforts to strengthen its agricultural standards system.

Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers and Suppliers Association of Sri Lanka (AgMMA) Vice President Chaminda Sanjaya Kumara Nishankage, also delivered remarks highlighting the role and engagement of the private sector in supporting CSAM initiatives.

Following the signing ceremony, a dedicated panel discussion was convened to introduce the ANTAM initiative, engage regional manufacturers and suppliers, and gather insights on how the initiative can best serve stakeholders across the agricultural machinery value chain. Experiences from other ANTAM participating countries were also shared, underlining the benefits of regional collaboration.

Having actively participated in the 2023 and 2024 policy dialogues on the establishment of a mutual recognition system under ANTAM, SLSI’s decision to institutionalise these test codes positions Sri Lanka as a key contributor to harmonised regional standards in agricultural mechanisation.

ESCAP-CSAM Deputy Head and Program Officer Marco Silvestri, and Head of Chancery A.W.S. Samanmali also attended the ceremony.