Bank of Ceylon senior management underscored confidence, institutional strength and market leadership following the successful launch of the Bank’s inaugural Basel III compliant Tier II Listed Sustainability Bond, which was oversubscribed and closed on the opening day on 22 December 2025.
Chairman Kavinda de Zoysa said the strong investor response reflected deep trust in BOC’s legacy and its role as a nation building institution. He noted that the issuance marked a defining chapter in the Bank’s history and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic revival, resilience and long term competitiveness through sustainable finance.
Acting General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Y A Jayathilaka stated that the bond was structured entirely in house, demonstrating the Bank’s strong internal capabilities. He explained that the Sustainable Finance Framework was developed by the Sustainable Banking Division, while the Investment Banking Division structured the issue with support from the Legal Division. He acknowledged the guidance of the Colombo Stock Exchange and the technical assistance of the Asian Development Bank, while appreciating KPMG as the independent external reviewer and People’s Bank as trustee. The bonds were rated AA with a stable outlook by Lanka Rating Agency.
Deputy General Manager International Treasury and Investment G A Jayashantha said the issuance further strengthened the Bank’s Tier Two capital and reinforced its leadership in innovative capital market solutions. He added that over the years, the Investment Banking Division has raised more than Rs. 120 billion through listed and unlisted debt instruments for the Bank.
He also highlighted BOC’s strong financial standing, noting that the Bank recorded a profit before tax of Rs. 106.9 billion in 2024 and Rs. 87.7 billion during the first nine months of 2025. BOC was ranked as the leading Sri Lankan bank among the Top 1000 World Banks by The Banker magazine in 2025 and was named the Most Valuable Brand in Sri Lanka by Brand Finance Lanka.
