The ComBank has further strengthened its commitment to agricultural transformation in Sri Lanka by conducting two impactful programmes in Batticaloa and Welimada, aimed at equipping farmers — particularly youth — with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to embrace modern, sustainable cultivation practices.
Both events were carried out under the Bank’s Agri Modernisation Project, underscoring the Bank’s role as a leading enabler of innovation and progress in the country’s vital farming sector.
A recent induction and awareness session conducted at the District Agriculture Training Centre in Batticaloa brought together more than 75 participants and covered three crucial areas — financial literacy, the use of modern agricultural machinery, and the application of advanced technologies in paddy cultivation. Representatives from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka led discussions on responsible financial management and access to formal credit, while Brown and Company introduced attendees to cutting-edge machinery designed to improve productivity and reduce labour dependency.
Mr M. Rajethan, Founder of Inthira Group and an expert in smart agriculture, along with academics from the Faculty of Agriculture of the Eastern University, offered practical insights into modern techniques such as drone-assisted farming, mechanised transplanting and data-driven input optimisation. The programme was conducted with the support of the Department of Agriculture, the Central Bank, and local agricultural officers.
Speaking at the event, the Eastern Regional Manager of Commercial Bank Mr R. Kajaruban stated that the Bank’s vision extends beyond traditional banking. By working closely with young farmers and introducing them to both financial and technical tools, the Bank is helping cultivate a new generation of confident and skilled agri-entrepreneurs, he said.
Another programme conducted at the Divurumwela Temple in Welimada, targeting 50 farmers from the Welimada and Bandarawela areas, focused on semi-protected agriculture practices for highland crops. The initiative aimed to equip farmers with advanced cultivation techniques that shield crops from climatic stress while boosting yield and sustainability. Farmers received in-depth training and tailored advice from agronomists, technical service providers, and agricultural scientists such as Mr E.M.K. Ekanayake. The programme covered practical methods for pest management, irrigation, and climate-resilient farming, while also familiarising participants with tools such as soil sensors and drip irrigation systems.
Commercial Bank’s Regional Manager for Uva Sabaragamuwa Mr Rukmal Chamenda Perera Kalugamage said this marked the first time a bank in the region had actively facilitated the transfer of technical agricultural knowledge, going beyond financial services. He emphasised that such initiatives were not only timely but necessary, given the increasing challenges faced by farmers in adapting to modern cultivation methods.
Commercial Bank’s approach stands out for its holistic integration of technical expertise, financial access, and hands-on farmer engagement. The Bank is currently the only private financial institution in Sri Lanka leading this kind of inclusive initiative, working in close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, university faculties, and technology providers. This model of public-private-academic partnership is paving the way for a future-ready farming community that is both financially empowered and technologically capable, the Bank said.
Commercial Bank is the first Sri Lankan bank to be listed among the Top 1000 Banks of the World and has the highest market capitalisation in the Banking Sector in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The Bank is the largest private sector lender, the largest lender to the SME sector, is a leader in digital innovation and is Sri Lanka’s first 100% carbon-neutral bank.
Commercial Bank operates a strategically located network of branches and automated machines island-wide, and has the widest international footprint among Sri Lankan banks, with 20 outlets in Bangladesh, a fully-fledged Tier I Bank with a majority stake in the Maldives, and a Microfinance company in Myanmar. The Bank recently received approval from Dubai Financial Services Authority to establish a representative office within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and is the first Bank in Sri Lanka to achieve this milestone, making a significant step towards broadening its global footprint. The Bank’s fully-owned subsidiary CBC Finance Ltd., also delivers a range of financial services via its own branch network.
