Driving forward its mission to support and modernize the nation’s agriculture sector, Sri Lanka’s largest private sector retail bank, HNB PLC, celebrated a step forward in the nation’s agricultural development with the launch of the HNB සරුසාර (Sarusara) programme in Nochchiyama, Anuradhapura.

Attended by over 700 agripreneurs, the pioneering event established a platform for demonstrating smart and precise agricultural techniques and solutions capable of enhancing farming practices, increasing productivity and improving livelihoods leveraging modern technology.

The event also featured a mini agriculture exhibition with over 20 leading agribusiness solution providers from across the country, offering comprehensive seed-to-shelf solutions that greatly benefited the participants. This initiative is the first of several planned interactions with the 16,000-strong farming community in Nochchiyagama, aiming to provide agripreneurship solutions through HNB's innovative agribusiness drive.

The event was attended by HNB Acting CEO, Damith Pallewatte, HNB Head of Microfinance Mahinda Senevirathne, HNB Head of SME Products and Partnerships N. Keethiswaran, Regional Business Head (North-Central Region) Nirosh Edirisinghe, Regional Microfinance Manager (North-Central Region) Hiran Karunarathne, accompanied by the team at Nochchiyagama led by Manager Nuwan Chandrasekara. Several other branch teams and leadership from across the HNB’s NCR customer centres were also in attendance for the landmark event.

“HNB was one of the first banks to establish a presence in Nochchiyama, so we have a special connection with this community. For the last 45 years, we have sought to support them and their agripreneurs, to build thriving, sustainable businesses by raising awareness and building capacity for agri-modernisation and supporting the adoption of fuses technologies at the grassroots through such events.”

“In this manner we hope to drive a powerful revitalization of the entire national agricultural sector, and the broader economy. We express our sincere gratitude to our HNB agripreneurs for engaging in this vital effort, and to our teams on the ground who continue to show outstanding dedication to our continuing efforts to act as a partner in progress to all Sri Lankans,” HNB Acting CEO, Damith Pallewatte said.

The event marked a historic day for HNB's Microfinance Department, and was well received by the participants and the community at large, many of whom showed great enthusiasm and pride in participating, sharing their own inspiring stories, achievements, and experiences directly with Damith Pallewatte and his team.

"We are completely committed to providing the financial support and innovative tools, training and exposure needed for these communities to thrive in this dynamic agricultural landscape. From precision agriculture and IoT integration to automated machinery and renewable energy solutions, we are dedicated to empowering you with technology that drives efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

"Furthermore, our HNB Sarusara programme aims to transform the agricultural sector by integrating cutting-edge practices, advanced financing solutions, and state-of-the-art technology. Our mission is to equip agripreneurs with the knowledge and resources for smart agriculture, boosting both productivity and sustainability," Damith  Pallewatte explained.

Through the HNB Sarusara programme, the Bank aims to support 30,000 agripreneurs nationwide to modernize their businesses, and improve their productivity over the coming year. Together with its flagship HNB Gami Pubuduwa initiative – which provides a platform for agripreneurs to gain access to local and global markets, the Bank is set to cultivate a new wave of entrepreneurship, fostering growth, development and a more prosperous future for Sri Lanka’s rural and agrarian communities.

With 254 customer centres, HNB is one of Sri Lanka's largest, most technologically innovative private banks. Consolidating its legacy in sustainability, good governance, and corporate excellence, HNB was crowned the Best Corporate Citizen for 2022 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Best Corporate Citizen Awards. Other significant accolades include being adjudged the "Best Retail Bank in Sri Lanka" for the 14th occasion by the Asian Banker in 2024, being declared the "Best SME Bank" by Asiamoney Magazine, being awarded the Sri Lanka Technology Excellence Award for Robotics – Banking at the Asian Technology Excellence awards 2023, for integration of Robotic Process Automation in its Custody Banking and Trustee Services, as well as securing a Top 5 position on Business Today's Top 40 rankings for 2023.

Photo - HNB Acting CEO, Damith Pallewatte (top left) discussing the potential of agri-modernisation with the attendees at the HNB Sarusara launch event in Nochchiyagama