Discover a legacy of resilience, vision, and triumph born into an era of agricultural and technological innovation and a 150-year-long journey that transformed the local and regional economic and industrial landscape, as we blaze new trails and lead into a future of sustainable development and innovation.
I began my journey with Browns alongside more than 100 colleagues at Hatton Transport and Agency on June 16, 1964. We worked closely together in a building rich in history, the former Hatton Bank, a symbol of legacy dating back to 1888.
Each day echoed with the pulse of the hills: tea transport, engineering marvels, and the hum of machinery that powered the plantations.
The Browns' name was everywhere—in almost every factory and estate. Yet, what set it apart was how personal it felt. We weren’t just employees; we were family. Loyalty was seen, appreciated, and rewarded with gold sovereigns that meant more than money. They were tokens of trust and pride. Browns wasn’t just a company; it was a community built on trust, built to last.
From that moment on, I stepped into Browns on January 01 1985. It was more than stepping into a role, but a step into a legacy.
I was entrusted with the tea machinery division, a sector barely alive. But with determination, hard work and the Browns' spirit behind me, we turned it around. It wasn’t just growth. It was a mission to restore excellence.
Today, I run my own fabrication business. Yet, the foundation, discipline, precision, and the pride in doing things right were the lessons instilled in me at Browns. They didn’t just give me a job. They gave me a vision.
I joined Browns in 1984 as a young accounts clerk. Over the next 29 years, I grew from being a divisional accountant, legal officer and HR executive. Every chapter and every challenge was a stepping stone. Back then, the group was a constellation of 17 subsidiaries, each one different and dynamic. I had a front row seat to a legacy in the making, I did not just witness history; I lived it.
When I finally stepped away, I left with more than a gold coin and a certificate, but a lifetime of memories, the wisdom of three decades, and the quiet pride of a life well spent. Browns wasn’t just my workplace, it was my university.
Established by the turn of the 20th century, Browns & Company played a key role in Sri Lanka's automotive history, introducing the first Darracq and Ford cars in the early 1900s. By 1920, they were the sole agent for various vehicles and Fordson tractors, supporting agriculture and prioritising reliability and service as the sole agent for Goodyear tyres with nationwide garages. In 1924, Browns introduced Exide batteries. By 1950, they launched Ferguson Tractors & Implements, contributing to farming. Today, Browns Hybrid Centre specialises in hybrid vehicle care. Launched in 1971, Auto Mart evolved into Browns Hybrid Centre, offering advanced diagnostics. Currently, Browns Group introduces affordable electric vehicles, promoting sustainable transportation.
In 1875, the foundation for Browns & Co. was laid at an engineering workshop in Hatton with the bold ambition of providing high-quality machinery for the plantation industry. Despite its century-long relationship with the Sri Lankan plantation industry, we ventured into the plantation sector in the late 20th Century in partnership with LOLC Holdings to form Gal-Oya
Plantations under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). In a landmark move, we have expanded the ownership of Tea, Spice, sugar cane and timber plantations in Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone
By the mid-20th century, we shifted our gears once more, toward a sector that lay at the heart of Sri Lanka’s identity: agriculture. The company made a landmark contribution to the nation’s farming future by launching Ferguson Tractors & Implements.
Among these was the introduction of Sri Lanka’s first four-wheel tractor, the iconic Massey Ferguson, which was soon followed by the Landmaster Thresher, two innovations that revolutionised paddy cultivation and processing in Sri Lanka.
Today, our role as a total solutions provider offering everything from agri-machinery and crop care solutions to veterinary pharmaceuticals, fuels the nation’s economy and its drive towards sustainable agriculture.
Browns Investments PLC, a subsidiary of Brown and Company supported by LOLC Holdings, leverages over 150 years of legacy to drive progress through strategic investments in vital sectors. This powerhouse actively shapes the future with transformative ventures such as the Colombo Port City and Marina Development. Under Browns Investments, high-growth investments from both LOLC and Browns are strategically consolidated within the plantation, hospitality, and value-added agriculture sectors.
In 1961, Browns expanded into heavy construction by introducing Michigan machinery. These adaptable, turbocharged machines were designed for challenging tasks like dozing and spreading fill. Featuring over 30 interchangeable models, they offered superior performance while lowering project expenses.
Currently, the Heavy Machinery Division offers top-tier construction and earthmoving equipment from brands like Hitachi, Sakai, Tata Hitachi, Mahindra, and Okada. These machines serve various sectors, including construction, mining, and manufacturing. The division also provides exceptional heavy machinery repair and maintenance services, with round-the-clock after-sales support from their skilled service team and access to quality spare parts.
Established in 1990, Browns Veterinary Pharmaceuticals has been a key player in transforming Sri Lanka's animal healthcare sector. Growing from a pharmaceutical focus to a market leader, its success is built on global partnerships, consistent innovation, and quality commitment.
Our key milestones include partnering with MSD Animal Health (acquiring Zagro), adding brands like Eukanuba, Stallen, and Proteina, and diversifying into livestock nutrition with feed-grade solutions in 2015.
Subsequent significant introductions include Bravecto, partnerships with Tanmaay Exports and Sumitomo Chemicals, and advanced poultry vaccination technology. Browns Veterinary Pharmaceuticals was the first in Sri Lanka to achieve ISO 14001 certification in 2022, alongside ISO 9001. The introduction of Farmina and Bawwa Bites highlights its ability to offer premium and affordable pet nutrition.
05 Jun 2025
In an exclusive tribute to the remarkable 150-year journey of Browns, Exide is proud to unveil two limited-edition Ultra battery models; 38B20L and 105D31R, specially crafted for the Sri Lankan market.
04 Jun 2025
For the very first time, Browns has graced the cover of LMD magazine, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected business publications.
27 May 2025
In celebration of its 150th anniversary, Browns marked this historic milestone with a bold visual tribute by way of extensive nationwide front-page coverage that captured the spirit of Browns: enduring, evolving, and empowering.
26 May 2025
The Browns Group is proud to commemorate a historic milestone, 150 years of enduring excellence. Established in 1875 as a mechanical engineering workshop serving the plantation industry at the time, today, Browns has evolved into one of Sri Lanka’s most diversified and influential conglomerates
21 May 2025
Sri Lanka is set to host top executives from AGCO Holdings Singapore, the manufacturers of the world-renowned Massey Ferguson agricultural machinery, as part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Browns, one of the country’s leading and most diversified conglomerates.
21 May 2025
It is with great pride and heartfelt admiration that Zagro Singapore (Pvt) Ltd extends its warmest congratulations to Brown and Company PLC on the remarkable occasion of its 150th anniversary.
20 May 2025
A leadership team from Yanmar Agribusiness, led by its Executive Vice President, Mr Keisuke Ueda, is set to visit Sri Lanka to participate in the 150th anniversary celebrations of Browns
19 May 2025
To mark a historic milestone, top officials from Makita Japan are due in Sri Lanka on 19th May to join the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Browns, one of Sri Lanka’s leading and most diversified conglomerates.
19 May 2025
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 19 May 2025: Delegates from Hitachi Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. (HCM) led by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kotaro Hirano will be visiting Sri Lanka to join the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of Browns.
16 May 2025
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 16 May 2025: Sri Lanka is set to host a landmark celebration as a top team from FG Wilson, a global leader in power solutions, arrives to mark the 150th anniversary of Browns.
