Friday Dec 05, 2025
Friday Dec 05, 2025
Friday, 5 December 2025 01:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Commercial Bank Chief Operating Officer S. Prabagar and Browns Agriculture Head of Sales Thushan Gunarathne exchange the agreement in the presence of representatives of the two companies
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has entered into a strategic partnership with Brown & Company PLC to make modern agricultural machinery and technology more accessible to Sri Lankan farmers and agri-entrepreneurs as part of the Bank’s commitment towards SME empowerment initiatives and inclusivity.
This partnership includes special leasing facilities aimed at driving the country’s agricultural modernisation. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising the collaboration builds on a longstanding collaboration between the two institutions and reflects a shared commitment to advance mechanisation, productivity, and sustainability in agriculture.
Under the agreement, Commercial Bank will offer special leasing facilities through its Agri Lease and Diribala Green Development Loan Scheme to support the purchase of agricultural vehicles, machinery and equipment, protected agriculture and irrigation systems, and post-harvest machinery marketed by Browns Agriculture.
Browns Agriculture will extend a range of exclusive benefits to farmers who purchase equipment under this promotion. These include a free first-year insurance policy for selected two-wheel drive tractor models, first four labour-free services for all tractors as well as first three labour-free services for Yanmar and Sumo harvesters, and a free first-year IoT-based remote monitoring and equipment tracking platform for SUMO Automated Rice Milling Machines. Each SUMO rice mill will also carry a one-year warranty for manufacturing defects and a labour-free service within the first year.
Commercial Bank said that facilitating access to smart, eco-friendly agricultural machinery through the Agri Lease and Diribala Green Development Loan Scheme aligns with the Bank’s commitment to promote sustainable farming practices. The Bank emphasised that the initiative supports innovation and climate resilience while strengthening its relationship with rural customers and contributing to national food security.
The introduction of advanced technology and equipment is considered essential for improving productivity and reducing operational cost, the Bank said. This strategic initiative takes a holistic approach—helping farmers not only to acquire modern machinery but also to gain the knowledge and support needed for its effective use.
