ComBank inspires collective commitment to sustainability with landmark national summit

Highlights of the opening session of the Commercial Bank ’ForwardTogether 2025 -Sustainability Summit’

• First bank-led sustainability summit in Sri Lanka unites business, Govt., academia and civil society
• High-level dialogue on Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG), climate action, inclusive finance, and progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

In a bold and unprecedented step beyond traditional banking, the Commercial Bank of Ceylon convened Sri Lanka’s first-ever bank-led national summit on sustainability, asserting its leadership in the national movement for environmental and social responsibility. 

The full-day ‘ForwardTogether 2025 – Sustainability Summit’ held at Cinnamon Life on 26 June, brought together a high-powered assembly of policymakers, corporate leaders, development agencies, academia, sustainability experts, and youth representatives to ignite dialogue and action on advancing Sri Lanka’s inclusive, climate resilient future and achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The event was graced by Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe as Chief Guest and United Nations Development Programme in Sri Lanka Resident Representative Azusa Kubota, as the keynote speaker.

In his address to the summit, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe commended Commercial Bank for its initiative of organising a summit focused on creating a sustainable future, which he said is a very timely theme. The summit comes at an important juncture, when the Central Bank has just launched the Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0 to guide the financial sector for the next five years, Dr. Weerasinghe said, adding that he is pleased to see the financial sector contributing towards its objectives in this manner. 

Delivering the keynote address, Azusa Kubota said banks in Sri Lanka could support the country’s sustainability agenda by advancing financial inclusion, strengthening sustainable products including green credit, advancing climate finance innovation and investing in Green skills and knowledge, and pledged that the UNDP stands ready to support these efforts.

Commercial Bank Chairman Sharhan Muhseen emphasised, “This summit marks a vital milestone in our sustainability journey. It is the spark that will ignite our collective journey toward a more sustainable Sri Lanka and a more sustainable world. Real change begins when we come together. Each of us has a role to play, and together, we are setting out on a path that will shape the future we aspire to build.”

Earlier, in his opening remarks at the landmark event, Commercial Bank Managing Director/CEO Sanath Manatunge declared the bank’s commitment to facilitating national transformation through sustainable finance and cross-sector collaboration.

“Our approach to environment, society and governance ensures we lead responsibly, fostering financial inclusion, environmental stewardship, and sound governance,” Manatunge said. “From empowering communities to pioneering carbon-neutral banking, we go beyond compliance to create lasting impact. By hosting the Sustainability Summit, we are proud to volunteer in leading the national conversation on sustainability and are committed to shaping a greener, more inclusive future for all.”

A powerful morning panel examined Sri Lanka’s sustainability landscape, bringing together voices from the UNDP, the Ministry of Environment, UNFPA, and the financial sector to explore challenges and emerging opportunities. Discussions focused on aligning national policy with global commitments, advancing sustainable finance instruments, and integrating inclusivity into long-term economic strategies.

The Summit then expanded into a series of deep-dive technical sessions across two thematic blocks. In the afternoon, six parallel panels addressed the most critical sustainability domains: transitioning to renewable energy; water security and climate-smart governance; circular economies and waste transformation; sustainable agriculture and food systems; biodiversity conservation; and equitable access to climate finance. Panellists presented innovations, community-led models, and transformative policy frameworks, encouraging tangible pledges and cross-sector alliances.

Notably, the segment on ‘Equity in Action’ offered a compelling vision for climate-era finance, spotlighting the role of inclusive banking in enabling resilience for marginalised communities, women, and youth. Other panels highlighted the intersection of science, policy, and grassroots activism in addressing climate adaptation and environmental degradation.