HNB-CBL Cocos strengthen direct market access for coconut farmers

From left: CBL Consultant Agribusiness Development Ashan Ratwatte, CBL Natural Foods Cluster GM Supply Chain Dhanushka Ramanayake, HNB Assistant VP SME Nithiyanantham Kethiswaran, HNB Executive VP and Head of SME and Micro Finance Rajive Dissanayake, HNB Managing Director/CEO Damith Pallewatte, CBL Cocos Director Susantha Gunawardana, Coconut Cultivation AGM Board SK Atapattu, Vavuniya Coconut Farmer’s Company Director S. Ganeshan, Killinochchi Coconut Farmer’s Company  Director K. Thivendram, Nochchiyagama Coconut Farmer’s Company Director S.M.U. Anulawathi, HNB VP Agri Business Deepal Udukumbura and CBL GM Group Agribusiness Development Presad Rathnayake

HNB PLC has partnered with CBL Cocos Limited to deliver dedicated financial solutions to smallholder coconut farmer companies in Rajanganaya, Nochchiyagama, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi.

Spearheaded by HNB’s Agribusiness Unit together with CBL Cocos, the programme provides supply chain financing to registered farmer groups supplying directly to the company. This enables them to access working capital during the coconut curing cycle, reduce reliance on intermediaries and strengthen long-term participation in the value chain.

HNB MD/CEO Damith Pallewatte noted, “By enabling smallholder farmer companies to access finance and directly participate in formal value chains, we are fostering economic resilience and sustainable livelihoods in Sri Lanka’s agribusiness communities.”

CBL Group Natural Food Cluster Chief Executive Officer Randeewa Malalasooriya stated, “With financial support reaching directly to farmers through this partnership, their capacity to invest, expand and improve productivity will grow further, uplifting rural livelihoods and strengthening the future of Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector.”