Friday Nov 07, 2025
Friday Nov 07, 2025
Friday, 7 November 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
From left: Capital Alliance Partners CEO Nishok Goonasekera, CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Sarvodaya Development Finance Chairman Channa De Silva, CEO Nilantha Jayanetti, Head of Strategic Planning Mahesh Jayasanka, and Capital Alliance Partners Investment Banking Assistant Manager Faith Cooray
Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (SDF) rang the market opening bell at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), to commemorate the landmark issuance of its High-Yield Sustainable Bond. The market opening ceremony, held at the CSE’s iconic Trading Floor, highlighted SDF’s continued commitment to sustainable and socially impactful finance.
The Tier 2, listed, rated, unsecured, subordinated, redeemable, High-Yield Sustainable Bond Issue raised 20 million bonds at a par value of Rs. 100 each, with Capital Alliance Ltd., as its issue manager, aiming to raise a total of Rs. 2 billion, with a rating of ‘BB+’ by Lanka Rating Agency Ltd., was oversubscribed within hours of being listed on the exchange on 8 October 2025.
Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC, which was listed on the Mainboard on 14 December 2021, was founded in line with the principles of its parent organisation Sarvodaya and is guided by the principles of ethical finance and sustainable development. The issuance of the High-Yield Sustainable Bond, which, as a combination, was the first of its kind, represent the organisations commitment to social empowerment and development through the capital market, as part of Sarvodaya’s broader mission.
The Sarvodaya Movement, founded in 1958, was one of Sri Lanka’s oldest non-governmental organisations, is directed by the vision of “Grama Swaraj” – the empowerment of self-reliant villages built on inclusivity, non-discrimination, and community driven development.
Colombo Stock Exchange CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, congratulated SDF on the issuance of the first bond of its kind. Remarking upon the impact of the bond he stated “Sarvodaya Development Finance didn’t just issue a financial instrument—it is more. It acts as a societal catalyst for environmental stewardship, inclusive growth, and responsible financing. Sarvodaya Development Finance is tapping into capital markets in an effective manner to address the needs of the community.
Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC Chairman Channa De Silva said: “Sarvodaya Development Finance efforts to issue Sri Lanka’s first High-Yield Sustainable Bond, marks the unfoldment of a new era for our impact focus finance company. With the support of International based funding agencies and Sri Lankan stakeholders, who applaud this decision, we will be able to leapfrog from this to create a new journey for our village entrepreneurs, focused on a development agenda where agriculture, rural empowerment and women’s leadership will be recognised, supported and celebrated.”
In line with Sarvodaya’s vision, the proceeds of the Bond are expected to strengthen SDF’s Tier 2 capital base and support its expansion into sustainable and inclusive financing initiatives aligned with environmental and social impact goals, including Women’s Empowerment, Employee Welfare, Community Empowerment and financing Sustainable Agriculture.
