The Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB PLC) commemorated raising LKR 10 Bn with its first ever issuance of sustainable bonds by way of a market opening ceremony conducted on the trading floor of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) last week.

The 9^th December issuance of 100 Mn listed, rated, unsecured senior sustainable bonds, in five year and seven-year tenors, with a par value of LKR 100/- and rated “AA-(lka)” By Fitch Ratings Lanka Limited, was oversubscribed on the same day, raising LKR 10 Bn.

Sustainable bonds, which were launched in Sri Lanka for the first time this year, are part of a series of GSS+ (Green, Social, Sustainable & Sustainability Linked) debt instruments. The proceeds of the sustainable bond issuance will be used by HNB PLC to fund the development and installation of solar, wind, biomass and hydropower projects, improve energy efficiency through retrofits, fund the construction of recognized ‘green’ buildings, fund investment infrastructure for water treatment, water conservation and efficient agricultural water technologies, finance housing development, healthcare and education for low- and middle-income families, promote women entrepreneurship, amongst others initiatives.

Mr. Damith Pallewatte, Managing Director and CEO of HNB PLC, who was the ceremony’s keynote speaker remarked upon the issuance of sustainable bonds commenting: “HNB’s LKR 10 Bn sustainable bond issuance is a landmark step in advancing Sri Lanka’s sustainability agenda. By channeling capital into projects that deliver measurable environmental and social benefits, we are creating long-term value for our stakeholders while contributing to a greener, more inclusive future.”

Delivering his welcome address at the event, Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CEO of CSE, remarked upon rising corporate engagement in CSE’s GSS+ debt instruments stating: “HNB’s Sustainable Bond represents a welcome new addition to the list of leading Sri Lankan financial instruments that have set the example for the success of CSE’s GSS+ Bond framework which have allowed the capital market to operate as a financing vehicle for sustainable and socially equitable projects.”

HNB PLC was named the ‘Best Bank in Sri Lanka’ by The Banker Magazine in 2025, ranked among the Top 1,000 World Banks by ‘The Banker’, and recognized as ‘The Strongest Bank in Sri Lanka’ by TAB Global, and earned the ‘Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025’, reaffirming its dedication to responsible and sustainable business practices.

Image Caption : (Left – Right):  Mrs. Nilupa Perera, CRO, CSE; Mr. Pasindu Perera, Head of Corporate Finance, HNB Investment Bank (Pvt) Ltd ; Mr. Ray Abeywardena, Managing Director & Group CEO, HNB Investment Bank (Pvt) Ltd & Director, CSE; Mr. Sanjay Wijemanne, Chief Operating Officer, HNB PLC; Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CEO, CSE; Mr. Damith Pallewatte, Managing Director & CEO, HNB PLC; Mr. Bimal Perera, Chief Growth Officer, HNB PLC; Ms. Priyanka Wijayaratne, Chief Strategy Officer, HNB PLC; Mr. Yaveen Jayasekera, Chief Strategy Officer, HNB Investment Bank (Pvt) Ltd; Ms. Sonali Selvaratnam, Senior AVP – Corporate Finance, HNB Investment Bank (Pvt) Ltd.