SL banking, finance sector reaffirms commitment to sustainable growth at GSFC 2025

Global Sustainable Finance Conference (GSFC) 2025, held recently in Karlsruhe, Germany, provided a pivotal platform for advancing the global dialogue on sustainable finance and inclusive economic growth.

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It emphasised the crucial role of technology finance in closing the global technology gap and enabling economies to leapfrog toward high value-added growth. The event convened international leaders, regulators and financial sector professionals to share insights and strategies for aligning finance with sustainability goals.

Representing Sri Lanka at the conference was a distinguished delegation from the country’s leading banking and financial institutions. People’s Bank was represented by Deputy General Manager Commercial Credit Thushari Hewawasam, Deputy General Manager Risk Management P.G.A.C. Perera and Assistant General Manager Retail Banking W.N.T. Perera.

Sanasa Development Bank PLC was represented by Executive Director/CEO Kapila Ariyaratne. People’s Leasing and Finance PLC was represented by CEO/GM Sanjeewa Bandaranayake and Chairman Prof. Ajantha Samarakoon. First Capital Holdings PLC participated with Managing Director/CEO Dilshan Wirasekara, Janashakthi Group Managing Director/ Group CEO Ramesh Schaffter and Vice President Corporate Finance Sashi Schaffter. Alliance Finance Company PLC was represented by Romani de Silva. Their collective participation underscored Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to shaping a sustainable financial ecosystem in line with global standards.

For Sri Lanka, this year’s conference was particularly significant as the country continues to deepen its post-crisis recovery through sustainable financial practices. The conference reaffirmed that the financial sector’s role is pivotal in steering the country toward a green and socially responsible economy, emphasising that sustainable finance is no longer optional but fundamental to economic stability and resilience.