Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 17, 2025 – DFCC Bank PLC has announced the successful issuance of Sri Lanka’s first-ever Blue Bond, raising LKR 3 billion (USD 10 million equivalent) under its newly expanded Sustainable Bond Framework (SBF). With technical assistance from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), this landmark issuance marks a major step forward in aligning Sri Lanka’s financial markets with sustainability goals, particularly in ocean and coastal resilience.  

The Blue Bond carries a rating of ‘A(EXP)(lka)’ from Fitch Ratings and offers maturities of three, four, and five years. Proceeds are expected to be channeled into eligible projects such as clean drinking water infrastructure, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, marine and coastal pollution control, eco-friendly marine tourism, climate adaptation for coastal communities, clean marine transportation, and marine renewable energy. 

DFCC Bank received support from GGGI to evolve its Green Bond Framework into a comprehensive Sustainable Bond Framework (SBF), aligned with the International Capital Market Association’s (ICMA) Green, Social, and Sustainability Bond Principles. In addition, GGGI conducted capacity building and awareness programes for DFCC Bank staff, introducing the principles of blue bonds and training teams on the enhanced framework. This initiative strengthens the Bank’s ability to raise both green and blue capital transparently and in line with global best practices. The technical assistance was provided through GGGI’s Global Trust Fund on Sustainable Finance Instruments (GTF), funded by the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which supports developing countries in building robust green and social finance ecosystems through policy development, institutional capacity building, and technical expertise across the full lifecycle of thematic bond issuances. 

Thimal Perera, Chief Executive Officer of DFCC Bank, said, “The Blue Bond represents a decisive step in Sri Lanka’s sustainable finance journey, channeling private capital towards sectors that protect lives, livelihoods, and the environment. At DFCC Bank, we view sustainability as a national responsibility. We are happy to advance financial innovation that can drive transformative change for Sri Lanka and the communities we serve.” 

Dr. Sonali Senaratna Sellamuttu, Country Representative of GGGI Sri Lanka, added, “This landmark Blue Bond issuance demonstrates how Sri Lanka can mobilize capital not only for economic growth, but to safeguard vital ecosystems and the communities whose livelihoods depend on them. Through GGGI’s technical assistance on the development of its Sustainable Bond Framework, we worked with DFCC Bank to help strengthen its bond framework, build capacity and support to expand into new blue categories, and ensure alignment with ICMA principles. We congratulate DFCC Bank for their leadership and are proud that GGGI could play a role in making this first blue issuance a reality.” 

From pioneering renewable energy finance in the 1990s to introducing Sri Lanka’s first Green and now Blue Bonds, DFCC Bank continues to demonstrate how finance can serve as a catalyst for climate resilience, innovation, and inclusive national development. 

About GGGI in Sri Lanka 

The Global Green Growth Institute is a treaty-based international intergovernmental organization supporting low-carbon and climate-resilient growth in developing countries. Sri Lanka is a Member State of GGGI, and a Host Country Agreement was signed between GGGI and the Government of Sri Lanka in February 2023. GGGI’s work in Sri Lanka focuses on climate finance, sustainable transport, climate action and building ecosystem resilience. 

About DFCC Bank 

DFCC Bank PLC, established in 1955 and listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange since 1956, is one of Sri Lanka’s leading financial institutions. Regulated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and rated A (lka) by Fitch Ratings, the Bank offers a comprehensive portfolio of retail, corporate, and SME banking services, along with treasury, investment, and trade finance solutions. 

With customer centricity and sustainable innovation at its core, DFCC Bank delivers seamless and secure banking experiences, which include digital platforms like DFCC MySpace, and through a network of 133 branches and access to over 6,000 ATMs via the LankaPay network. 

A recognized leader in sustainable finance and renewable energy initiatives, DFCC Bank is committed to reducing environmental impact and fostering long-term economic resilience.