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Everywhere in life since 1875
Everything about Brown & Company PLC
To be a leading Sri Lankan conglomerate excelling through sunrise and sunshine industries with a global presence and cutting edge technology
With generations of trust and reliability, our aim is to continuously enhance the value propositions to our stakeholders through innovative and customer-centric solutions
Ishara Nanayakkara is a prominent entrepreneur serving on the Boards of many corporates and conglomerates in the region. He initially ventured into the arena of financial services with a strategic investment in LOLC Holdings PLC and was appointed to the Board in 2002. Today, he is the Chairman of Browns Group, holding directorships in many of its subsidiaries and associate companies. His vision to cater to the entire value chain of the finance sector manifested in the development of microfinance, Islamic finance, factoring through LOLC Factors, LOLC Life & General Insurance Companies and stock broking through LOLC Securities Ltd. Leveraging LOLC Group’s expertise in the SME sector, the expansion into the micro sector was spearheaded by Mr. Nanayakkara.This interest in microfinance led to the growth of LOLC Group’s international footprint, starting with an investment in PRASAC, the largest microfinance company in Cambodia, followed by the inauguration of LOLC Myanmar Microfinance Company Ltd, a green field investment in Myanmar in which he was the founding Chairman, as well as his strategic involvement in LOLC Cambodia Ltd; the 5th largest microfinance company in Cambodia. Building upon his forte in microfinance, LOLC Group has further expanded its offshore portfolio with Mr. Nanayakkara serving as a Director of Pak Oman Microfinance Bank Limited, a joint venture based in Pakistan between the governments of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Sultanate of Oman. Mr. Nanayakkara’s motivation to expand into various growth peripheries is further illustrated through his role as the Executive Chairman of Browns Investments PLC. Through various strategic investments, he is committed to catalysing development in the growth sectors of the Sri Lankan economy. Endorsing his entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. Nanayakkara received the prestigious ‘Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award at the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA) in 2012. He holds a diploma in Business Accounting from Australia.
Other key appointments: Deputy Chairman – LOLC Holdings PLC & Seylan Bank PLC, Executive Chairman - Browns Investments PLC, Chairman - LOLC Life Assurance Ltd, LOLC Development Finance PLC, Director - Associated Battery Manufacturers (Cey) Ltd, Sierra Construction Ltd, PRASAC, the largest microfinance company in Cambodia, LOLC Myanmar Microfinance Co. Ltd, Pak Oman MFB, LOLC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, LOLC Asia (Pvt) Ltd, LOLC International Private Limited and LOLC Private Limited.
Other key appointments: Deputy Chairman – Lanka Orix Leasing Company PLC & Seylan Bank PLC, Executive Chairman - Browns Investments PLC, Chairman - LOLC Life Assurance Ltd, BRAC Lanka Finance PLC, Director - Associated Battery Manufacturers (Cey) Ltd, Sierra Construction Ltd, PRASAC, the largest microfinance company in Cambodia, LOLC Myanmar Microfinance Co. Ltd, Pak Oman MFB, LOLC Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, LOLC Asia (Pvt) Ltd, LOLC International Private Limited and LOLC Private Limited.
Kapila Jayawardena joined LOLC in the year 2007 as the Group Managing Director/CEO. He holds an MBA in Financial Management and is a Fellow member of the Institute of Bankers and an Associate member of the Institute of Cost and Executive Accountants, London. He has varied experience in the fields of Investment banking, banking operations, audit, relationship management, corporate finance, corporate banking and treasury management. Mr. Jayawardena served as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) in 2003/04 and as the Country Head and the CEO (Sri Lanka and Maldives) of Citibank NA from 1998 to 2007. He has also served as the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka in 2006/2007 and was appointed to the Financial Sector Reforms Committee (FSRC) and was a member of the National Council of Economic Development (NCED). He was also a Board Member of the United States - Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission.
Other key appointments: Chairman – Browns Capital PLC, Palm Garden Hotels PLC, Eden Hotel Lanka PLC, LOLC General Insurance Ltd, LOLC Securities Ltd. Director - Browns Investments PLC, Seylan Bank PLC, LOLC Development Finance PLC, Riverina Resorts (Pvt) Ltd, LOLC International (Pvt) Ltd and other subsidiaries of the LOLC Group.
Other key appointments: Chairman – Browns Capital PLC, Palm Garden Hotels PLC, Eden Hotel Lanka PLC, LOLC General Insurance Ltd, LOLC Securities Ltd. Director - Browns Investments PLC, Seylan Bank PLC, BRAC Lanka Finance PLC, Riverina Resorts (Pvt) Ltd, LOLC International (Pvt) Ltd and other subsidiaries of the LOLC Group.
Kalsha Amarasinghe holds an Honours Degree in Economics and has an outstanding vision for investments. She serves on the Boards of subsidiaries of Browns Group of Companies and LOLC Holdings PLC.
Other key appointments: Executive Director – LOLC Holdings PLC, LOLC Finance PLC, LOLC Life Assurance Limited, Palm Garden Hotels PLC, Riverina Resorts (Pvt) Ltd, Eden Hotel Lanka PLC, Browns Investments PLC, Browns Capital PLC, Green Paradise (Pvt) Ltd, Sun & Fun Resorts Ltd and Browns Holdings Ltd.
Tissa Bandaranayake is a Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and he holds a B.Sc. Degree from the University of Ceylon. He has more than 45 years of commercial and professional experience. He was with Ernst & Young, Sri Lanka for 27 years until retirement as a Senior Partner in April 2009, managing a large portfolio of clients both local and multinational, in various industries.
Mr. Bandaranayake was a Past Chairman of the Audit Faculty of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and a Past President of the Practicing Chartered Accountants Forum. He is also the Vice President of the National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka, a member of the Rotary International Finance Committee 2013-2016 and the Rotary International District Governor for Sri Lanka in 1999-2000. Mr. Bandaranayake has held many senior posts in the private sector as well.
Other key appointments: Chairman - the Quality Assurance Board of Sri Lanka, Independent Non- Executive, Director - Nawaloka Hospitals PLC, Laugfs Gas PLC, Samson International PLC, Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC, Renuka Holdings PLC, Renuka Foods PLC, Harischandra Mills PLC and Micro Holdings (Pte) Ltd. Consultant - Board of Noritake Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.
Janaka de Silva holds a B.Sc., (Ceylon) and an M.B.A. (Sri Jayawardenapura). He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka. Mr. de Silva was a Senior Accountant of the State Engineering Corporation during 1970 to 1972 and was the Finance Manager at Building Material Corporation during 1972 to 1973. He also served as a Lecturer/Accountant at Indeco Ltd, Lusaka, Zambia from 1973 -1976. In 1976, Mr. de Silva joined Bank of Ceylon as the Assistant General Manager/Controller and was elevated to the position of Corporate Advisor and set up the IT function which was the largest IT facility in the country by the end of 1985. He introduced computerised banking with central processing and multipoint access to Sri Lanka. He was the head of the Audit function, conducting the internal audits of over 200 branch offices throughout the country. Further, he introduced new techniques such as statistical sampling. He was also a member of the Steering Committee created to set up the Automated Clearing House of Sri Lanka. In 1987, Mr. de Silva joined Sampath Bank and was the founder General Manager/CEO. He made the bank the most technologically advanced financial institution with all branches connected online for the first time in Sri Lanka. He was the first to introduce credit cards with a major international franchise and a multipoint ATM network. He pioneered many new innovations such as extended banking hours, interest on daily balance on Savings Accounts, and the use of UV lights for signature verification.
During 1992 to 1995, he served as the Director - Operations of American Express Bank, Colombo and was responsible for all operational activities and functioned as the Quality Coordinator of the Colombo Office. Mr. de Silva joined the Union Bank of Colombo Ltd as the General Manager/Chief Operations Officer and designed and implemented the information systems topology, pioneered web presence and internet banking amongst indigenous banks. Under his direction the Bank obtained ISO 9002 Quality Certification and became the first bank in Sri Lanka to connect ATMs to a major international network and Mr. de Silva was appointed Managing Director/CEO in 2002. He served as a Consultant to the National Development Bank during the period of 2003 - 2007 and advised the Bank on the integration of financial and accounting systems during the merger of National Development Bank with NDB Bank.
Danesh Abeyrathna serves in the capacity of Director/Chief Executive Officer of LOLC Advanced Technologies (Pvt) Ltd, the research and advanced technology arm of the renowned LOLC Group. He was also the former Chief Operating Officer of Browns Group. Moreover, he also serves on the Boards of Gal Oya Plantations (Pvt) Ltd; Gal Oya Holdings (Pvt) Ltd; Browns Agri Solutions (Pvt) Ltd; BI Commodities & Logistics (Pvt) Ltd; Grey Reach Investment Ltd; Sunbird Bioenergy Ltd (Sierra Leone) and Fortigrains (Pvt) Ltd, and is actively involved in the operations of each entity. Abeyrathna holds a Bachelor’s of Science (Hons) in Engineering from the University of Ruhuna. He is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) and Chartered Global Management Accountants (CGMA - USA), an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and the Institute of Engineers (SL).
We have attracted the best and the brightest talent towards building a strong team that reflects the diversity of the customers we serve.
Brown and Company was incorporated in Hatton with a small mechanical engineering workshop.
A branch was opened in Maskeliya.
On learning that the Railway was to be extended beyond Nawalapitiya, Mr. James Brown selected the excellent site at Hatton for an engineering business by opening this branch.
A large measure of success was achieved by the firm in the early days, and on the advent of the Tea Industry the business increased rapidly. To the original Engineering establishment was gradually added the General Stores and Chemists, the business being confined to Hatton in the Dikoya District.
In view of the rapidly increasing business and the necessity for further capital, a Limited Liability Company was formed with a nominal capital of Rs. 500,000 with Mr. James Browns being the Chairman.
Death of Mr. James Brown was a great loss for the company. Another great move was made by the company during the year by opening Lanka Works in Colombo, a block of buildings in Queen Street, Fort, being taken..
With the rapid expansion, it was necessary to lease a very valuable site in Chatham Street once occupied by Maitland & Co. of early fame, on which they built the existing fine block, having already (1900) purchased the Lanka Works, Union Place, where a large Engineering establishment was formed.
The Adam’s Peak Hotel, Hatton was purchased by the company to prevent its being taken over by parties who were likely to take up General Trading Business.
The London office was opened.
Acquisition of Horbury house was carried through, following the opening of the London office.
All the Engineering works of the business were transferred to the Darley Road premises, where they had been re-built. The Motor department remained at Union Place.
All the Engineering works of the business were transferred to the Darley Road premises, where they had been re-built. The Motor department remained at Union Place.
Showrooms were leased in the National Mutual Buildings in Chatham Street, Fort.
A property in Chatham Street, Fort was purchased and utilised as offices.
The Hatton Transport & Agency Co. Ltd was incorporated to provide transport to the plantation sector in the up-country area and also to provide services as a clearing agent to the Group and to outside parties.
Purchases Hatton Bank Limited and Hatton Transport Agency Co. Ltd and becomes Browns Group.
Agricultural division was set up with the establishment of a franchise with Massey Ferguson four wheel tractors.
Obtains a Ceylonese Traders license in 1959 which allows International Trade.
A year of acquisitions and new beginnings as the company acquires Hoare & Company (which was re-named as Engineering Services Ltd.), Standard Finance Ltd., to handle hire-purchase and finance, Walker & Grieg Ltd., which was a major competitor and Mason’s Mixture Ltd. In the same year, Associated Battery Manufacturers (Ceylon) Ltd begins commercial production of automotive batteries.
Incorporation of Browns Group Industries for local manufacturing of items which were originally imported.
Cement Paints (Ceylon) Ltd was incorporated for the manufacture of Pharmacem and Snowcem which were hitherto imported.
Badulla Transport & Agency Co. Ltd was formed to take over business carried on by a leading outstation firm of transport agents.
Browns Tours launched, offering a wide range of travel services.
Berec (Ceylon) Ltd was incorporated to manufacture torch, radio and transistor batteries.
Browns Group Motels Ltd., was established in 1968 as a public company to manage and operate the motels and hotels established by the Group. In that same year, Ceylon Marine Products Ltd., amalgamated with Browns Group of Companies, processors of frozen sea foods, pioneered the export of shellfish.
The Hatton Bank Ltd. becomes Hatton National Bank, now one of the country’s leading banks and corporate entities.
Browns (MT & E) Handicrafts Ltd., was incorporated to assist the local craftsmen with financial facilities to practice their craft and provide avenue for distribution of their products in Sri Lanka and abroad.
Browns Group is the leading blue-chip conglomerate in the country with an extensive network of engineering projects aiding the Estate sector.
Acquires 95% shares of C.F.T. Engineering Ltd., which is the sole agent for Renault and Lacia Franchise in Sri Lanka.
Secured the sole agency for Korean Kukje Corporation for two wheel tractors.
Listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange.
Expanded into MF generators and high horsepower tractors for large scale sugar plantations and other special projects. Mini hydro systems and small generators from China was introduced. The Motor division was appointed as the sole distributor of AP filters from Japan. Implemented the IBM RS 6000 system for a smooth backoffice function.
New agencies and distributorships were obtained from Perkins Engines Far East and F. G. Wilson of the U.K., for Generators. Introduced smaller generators from Kubota of Japan.
Successfully obtained international agencies for Samsung Heavy Industrial Equipment from Korea, Cosmetic Products from India, MEM Switch Gear and Circuit Breakers from the U.K. and Valvoline Motor Oils from the USA.
New agencies obtained from Swaraj Mazda range of trucks and buses, Moulinex home appliances, Olympus cameras, Hudson Sprayers and Rain Bird Irrigation Systems.
Opening of Duty Free Shops at the BIA – Arrivals and Departures
New agencies obtained for Citroen Automobiles, Eicher Tractors, Sumeet domestic appliances, Crocodile mammoties, Browns bicycles, Elba, Cornell and Braun products.
Obtained sole distributorship of TAFE India – Four Wheel Tractors.
Change of Management for Browns Group.
Browns together with LOLC enters into a Public-Private partnership agreement with the Government of Sri Lanka in 2007 to revive the Gal Oya Sugar Factory (Hingurana).
Incorporated Browns Investments which is the strategic investment arm of Browns Group of Companies.
Browns Group moves into a new office premises located at Colombo 03. Browns Investments invested in F. L. C. Holdings (Holding company of Maturata and Pussellewa Plantations), LOLC Leisure Ltd. (Holding company of Eden Resort & Spa, Dickwella Resort & Spa, Riverina, Palm Gardens and Tropical Villas), Sierra Holdings (Pvt) Ltd and Royal Fernwood Porcelain Ltd.
Implemented cutting edge technology through the new ERP system – Microsoft Dynamics AX.
First hospital of Browns Group, Browns Hospitals was opened in Ragama.
Browns Group launched Sri Lanka’s first 10MW grid connected solar utility scale power project in Buruthankanda, Hambantota.
Brown and Company PLC collaborated the CSR activities and established 'Browns Shakthi', an integrated CSR brand for the Browns Group.
Brown & Company PLC emerged as Runners Up under the Trading category at the National Business Excellence Awards 2017
Brown and Company PLC won Silver in the Trading Sector for the third consecutive year at CA Sri Lanka Annual Report Awards
Browns General Trading division was awarded Most committed stall award at the Construct Exhibition 2017
Browns Power Systems division won Gold at the Techno Exhibition 2017 for product with Highest Social Impact
Exide was recognised as the most loved brand in Sri Lanka in the automotive category by the Brands Annual magazine.
The Eden Resort & Spa was crowned the best in the Hospitality & Tourism Sector of Sri Lanka at the National Business Excellence Awards 2017
The Calm Resort & Spa and The Paradise Resort & Spa wins 2017 TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards
Radco Radiators was awarded with ISO and SLS quality standard certificates
EXIDE was bestowed the honour of being one of the top three brands by the prestigious Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing, at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards ceremony. Browns Exide won Bronze for ‘Turnaround Brand of the Year’.
Browns Agriculture Division won a prestigious award from their principal partner Massey Ferguson for being the oldest distributor - 65 years in South East Asia. The Long-standing Relationship Award was presented to them at a gala event held in Bangkok recently.
Browns clinched the Silver award in the Trading category at the 52nd Annual Report Awards ceremony organised by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka).
Browns was awarded with the following accolades at the Techno 2016 Exhibition:
Best Demonstration – Gold
Best Display of Engineering Services – Silver
The Employer Branding Institute has recognised Brown & Company PLC as an achiever in ‘Asia’s Best Employer’ category. Co-hosted by the World HRD Congress and Stars of the Industry Group, with CHRO Asia as a strategic partner and endorsed by Asian Confederation of Business, Browns was presented with ‘The Asia Best Employer Brand’ award at the award ceremony.
Browns General Trading Division was presented with ‘The Most Innovative Stall’ accolade at the Construct 2016 Awards Night.
Brown & Company PLC won Gold in recognition of its exceptional contribution towards driving organisational performance through sound human resources management practices at the National HR Excellence Awards.
Associated Battery Manufacturers (ABM) Ceylon Limited, the manufacturers of EXIDE, Lucas and Dagenite automotive batteries, achieved the National Quality Award for Business Excellence under the Manufacturing (Medium Scale) category at the National Quality Awards ceremony
Browns RADCO became Sri Lanka’s first and only radiator brand to accolade SLS 740 and ISO 9001:2015 Quality Standards Certifications
For the second consecutive year, the Eden Resort & Spa was crowned the best in the Hospitality & Tourism Sector of Sri Lanka. The hotel received this recognition at the National Business Excellence Awards (NBEA) 2016 when it won Gold in the Hospitality & Tourism Sector category
BG Air Services was awarded the 5th position amongst 140 IATA agents by Singapore Airlines, one of the best airlines in the world, at their annual awards night.
BG Air Services was ranked 3rd among the top 8 travel agents in Sri Lanka by Emirates.
Browns Thermal Division was awarded the ISO 9001:2015 Certification for their Quality Management System in the manufacturing of Auto and Industrial Radiators and Plastic Based Battery Containers.