CSE raises Rs. 82.35 bn through 11 GSS+ bond issuances

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has recorded 11 green, blue, social, sustainable, and sustainability-linked (“GSS+”) bonds, GSS+ issuances, raising approximately Rs. 82.35 billion, reflecting growing issuer readiness and investor confidence in sustainable finance instruments.

This was said by Senior Prof. Hareendra Dissabandara Chairman Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in their annual review.

“During the year, comprehensive regulatory frameworks were introduced for GSS+ positioning the market at the forefront of sustainable finance.”

Notably, 2025 recorded nine GSS+ bond issuances raising approximately Rs. 54 billion, accounting for 40% of the total corporate debt capital raised during the year, while debt capital overall represented 92% of the total capital raised in the market.

“In parallel, the product suite was further broadened to include instruments such as perpetual, infrastructure, and high-yield bonds, as well as Sukuk, alongside the introduction of stock borrowing and lending and regulated short selling.”

Collectively, these initiatives are expected to expand market liquidity, strengthen market resilience, support long-term capital formation, and contribute to Sri Lanka’s sustainable development and climate-related financing objectives.

He also recalled that A significant milestone in strengthening Sri Lanka’s capital market infrastructure is the introduction of the Central Counterparty (CCP) framework, marking a transition towards a more robust and sophisticated post-trade environment

Sustaining Sri Lanka’s economic advancement and achieving stronger long-term growth will require a significant scaling up of investment and a corresponding expansion of the country’s capital base. At this critical juncture, the mobilisation of long-term, stable financing becomes imperative.

“The capital market therefore assumes a central role in facilitating efficient capital allocation, enabling both corporates and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to access funding through a diverse range of instruments.”

Notably, 2025 witnessed a strong uptake in capital-raising activity through the CSE, reflecting growing confidence in market-based financing and reinforcing its role in supporting the country’s growth ambitions.