DFCC Bank PLC was invited by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) to ring the market opening bell, celebrating the successful launch of Sri Lanka’s first Basel III-compliant Green, Social, Sustainability, and Sustainability-Linked Loan (GSS+) Bond. This event marks a significant milestone in the country’s evolving sustainable finance landscape.
The bell-ringing ceremony followed the strong market reception of the Bond, which was oversubscribed on its opening day, demonstrating robust investor confidence in the instrument’s structure, governance standards, and long-term relevance.
The event was attended by Chairman J. Durairatnam, Chief Executive Officer Thimal Perera, members of DFCC Bank’s senior leadership team, officials from the Colombo Stock Exchange, KPMG (Global Assurance), Nithya Partners, and the Joint Managers Capital Alliance Partners Limited and NDB Investment Bank Limited.
The GSS+ Bond represents Sri Lanka’s inaugural instrument combining impact-focused financing with Basel III regulatory capital compliance. It strengthens the Bank’s capital base while directing funds towards measurable environmental and social outcomes, thus bridging financial system resilience with national development priorities.
Thimal Perera, Chief Executive Officer of DFCC Bank, commented at the ceremony, “The ringing of the bell is more than a tradition. It reflects the broader significance of this issuance for Sri Lanka’s capital markets. This Bond strengthens our regulatory capital position while enabling the mobilisation of long-term funding towards initiatives that support environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic resilience. It demonstrates that prudential strength and impact-oriented finance can operate within the same disciplined framework.”
Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CEO of the Colombo Stock Exchange, stated, “The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is pleased to see DFCC Bank continue its long-standing commitment to sustainable finance through the issuance of Sri Lanka’s first Basel III-compliant GSS+ Bond. When we introduced the GSS+ instrument framework in 2024, we aimed to provide a platform for companies to raise capital for social and environmental projects. We are happy to see the effective use of this mechanism.”
The GSS+ structure enables financing across four interconnected pillars: Green Finance, covering renewable energy, clean transportation, energy efficiency, and climate resilience; Social Finance, encompassing housing, healthcare, education, essential services, and SME and MSME support; Sustainability Finance, involving projects delivering integrated environmental and social outcomes; and Sustainability-Linked Loan Finance, with funding tied to defined performance benchmarks to ensure accountability.
This issuance builds on DFCC Bank’s established track record in sustainable finance innovation. In 2024, the Bank introduced Sri Lanka’s first Green Bond, securing listings on the Colombo Stock Exchange and internationally, followed by the country’s first Blue Bond supporting marine and water-related initiatives.
The launch of the Basel III-compliant GSS+ Bond further deepens the domestic capital market’s capacity to originate sophisticated sustainable instruments aligned with global standards, while reinforcing stability within the financial system.
The ceremony at the Colombo Stock Exchange highlighted more than a listing milestone, underscoring the continued integration of sustainability, regulatory discipline, and long-term capital formation within Sri Lanka’s financial architecture.
Photo – Mr. J. Durairatnam, Chairman of DFCC Bank PLC, rings the bell at the CSE, watched by (from L-R) Mr. Sujeewa Peiris, Director CSE, Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CEO CSE, Mr. Thimal Perera, CEO DFCC Bank PLC, Mr. Shamindra Marcelline, Deputy CEO DFCC Bank PLC, and Mr. Prins Perera, Senior Vice President Treasury, Wholesale Banking and Investment Banking, DFCC Bank PLC.
