Sri Lanka’s first Blue Bond, issued by DFCC Bank PLC, has been dually listed on the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT City. This marks the first blue bond admitted for trading within India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) jurisdiction.
The issuance is valued at LKR 3 billion.
Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Issuer | DFCC Bank PLC (Sri Lanka) |
| Bond Type | Blue Bond |
| Value | LKR 3 billion |
| Primary Listing | Colombo Stock Exchange |
| Secondary Listing | NSE International Exchange (NSE IX), GIFT City |
| Significance | First blue bond traded in India’s IFSC |
The dual listing was enabled through an MoU between NSE IX and the Colombo Stock Exchange, aimed at strengthening cross-border capital market cooperation.
Investor Access & Market Impact
- The bond remains primarily listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange.
- Admission on NSE IX expands:
- Global investor visibility
- International investor access
- Cross-border capital flow
- It reinforces GIFT City’s role as a global sustainable finance hub.
What Are Blue Bonds?
Blue bonds are a type of green bond dedicated specifically to marine and water-related sustainability projects.
Key Areas Financed
- Marine ecosystem conservation
- Sustainable fisheries
- Ocean-based economic activities
- Clean drinking water supply
- Aquatic pollution control
- Coastal and marine biodiversity protection
These bonds support the “blue economy”, which focuses on sustainable use of ocean resources.
Objectives of DFCC Blue Bond
The bond aims to finance projects such as:
- Marine resource sustainability
- Water infrastructure improvements
- Pollution reduction in aquatic ecosystems
- Ocean-related sustainable economic activities
It also provides attractive investment returns while supporting environmental goals.
Role of GIFT City
Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) is India’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
Importance
- Platform for offshore financial services
- Enables international capital market transactions
- Facilitates foreign listings and global investment products
- Regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority
The listing of blue bonds strengthens GIFT City’s position as a hub for sustainable finance instruments.
Earlier Sustainable Bond Listing
In June 2025, DFCC Bank also listed:
| Bond Type | Amount | Significance |
| Green Bond | LKR 2.5 billion | Sri Lanka’s first renewable-energy-focused capital market debt instrument |
This was the first foreign corporate issuance admitted to trading on NSE IX.
Significance of Development
- Strengthens India–Sri Lanka financial market cooperation.
- Expands the global investor base for sustainable financial instruments.
- Promotes the blue economy and marine conservation financing.
- Enhances GIFT City’s role as a sustainable finance hub.
- Encourages innovative capital market products across jurisdictions.