Recent issuances of Green, Social, Sustainability and Sustainability-Linked (GSS+) bonds have mobilised approximately Rs. 85 billion (EUR 186 million) in Sri Lanka, the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka said on Wednesday, with several issues oversubscribed.
The disclosure came alongside a 200,000 euro capacity-building programme run by the EU-funded Green Recovery Facility, implemented by Expertise France in partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Colombo Stock Exchange, the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank.
The training has brought together more than 160 senior executives and technical professionals from financial institutions in a high-level C-suite session paired with a two-day Training-of-Trainers programme on bond structuring, issuance processes and investor engagement. The EU expects a multiplier effect across the sector, eventually reaching over 300 professionals.
“When Sri Lanka develops a strong market for green and social bonds, both sides gain. Sri Lanka unlocks longer-term finance for its transition, and European investors gain reliable, climate-aligned opportunities in a key partner economy,” Dr Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, said.
The proceeds of recent GSS+ issuances have been directed at renewable energy, energy efficiency, water and coastal resilience, and inclusive social infrastructure. The regulatory environment was strengthened in 2025 with the GSS Bonds Regulatory Framework introduced under the SEC.
Sri Lankan banks have been collecting external recognition for their sustainable issuances. At the Environmental Finance Sustainable Debt Awards 2026, DFCC Bank received the Innovation Award for its Green Bond use of proceeds in APAC, Bank of Ceylon won the Innovation Award for its Sustainability Bond structure in APAC, and Commercial Bank took the APAC Green Bond of the Year award in the Financial Institution category.
The Green Recovery Facility is a 5 million euro initiative under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy supporting work in sustainable energy, the circular economy, climate action and sustainable finance.
