DFCC Bank marked World Environment Day and World Oceans Day with a Mangrove Restoration Project at Waikkal and a Reforestation Project at Riverston in the Knuckles Mountain range. DFCC aims to be ‘The Bank for Green Finance’ by 2030 and were the first in Sri Lanka to receive Green Climate Fund accreditation.
The Mangrove Restoration Project at the Gin Oya Estuary in Waikkal is part of DFCC Bank’s ‘Life to Marine’ program, an ongoing effort to protect coastal ecosystems. Thimal Perera, Chief Executive Officer and Paduma Subasinghe, Chief Human Resource Officer and several other staff witnessed enthusiastic participation from volunteers across various branches and departments.
DFCC Bank partnered with the Sri Lanka Navy, together with the support of the Biodiversity Secretariat of the Ministry of the Environment, the Coast Conservation & Coastal Resource Management Department, and the Geography Department of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura to undertake a Mangrove Restoration Project. The initiative focused on planting mangrove species at the Naval Detachment – Karukupane.
The project aims to enhance the resilience of mangrove forests to tackle climate change and environmental challenges along the Sri Lankan coastline. The restoration of the Gin Oya Estuary mangroves involves the local community and is supported by Suriya Resort Waikkal. Dr. Manoj Prasanna from the Biodiversity Secretariat led an awareness session on “Mangrove Restoration and Habitat Enrichment of the Gin Oya” during the event.
DFCC Bank undertook a reforestation project in the Knuckles Conservation Forest Reserve, planting 100 native plants in collaboration with the Forest Department of Sri Lanka. The project involved broad participation from the bank’s staff and the local community. The initiative aims to enrich the ecosystem, preserve native species, fertilize the soil, and prevent erosion, contributing to the overall health and resilience of the reserve, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage ‘Central Highlands of Sri Lanka.’
Thimal Perera, CEO, DFCC Bank, said, “Our commitment to environmental sustainability is deeply ingrained in our ethos, culture, and strategy at DFCC Bank. By undertaking projects like these, we preserve vital ecosystems and promote community involvement and awareness, which have long-lasting positive and cascading benefits. We believe these initiatives and our many other ongoing sustainability programs are crucial for combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for generations. These programs also heavily underscore the significance of collaboration with authorities and communities towards realizing positive climate action.”
DFCC Bank is ranked among Business Today’s Top 40 Corporates in Sri Lanka.
