DFCC Bank marked a major milestone in Sri Lanka’s financial sector by ringing the opening bell at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) to celebrate the launch and listing of the country’s first Basel III–compliant Green, Social, Sustainability and Sustainability-Linked Loan (GSS+) Bond. The bond was oversubscribed on its opening day, reflecting strong investor confidence in its structure, governance, and long-term relevance. The ceremony was attended by J. Durairatnam, Chairman of DFCC Bank; Thimal Perera, CEO; members of the bank’s senior leadership team; officials from the CSE; and representatives from KPMG (Global Assurance), Nithya Partners, and the Joint Managers—Capital Alliance Partners and NDB Investment Bank. The GSS+ Bond is the first in Sri Lanka to combine impact-focused financing with Basel III regulatory capital compliance. This approach strengthens DFCC Bank’s capital base while directing funds toward measurable environmental and social initiatives, aligning financial stability with sustainable national development. Thimal Perera, CEO, described the bell-ringing as symbolic of the issuance’s broader importance to Sri Lanka’s capital markets, noting that it enhances regulatory capital while mobilizing long-term funding for environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic resilience. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CEO, CSE, highlighted that the GSS+ framework, introduced in 2024, enables companies to raise capital for environmental and social projects and welcomed DFCC Bank’s leadership in sustainable finance. The GSS+ structure supports green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked loan financing.
