Bank of Ceylon announced its role as the Official Banking Partner of the 9th ABU Media Summit on Climate Action and Disaster Prevention 2025, held from 25–27 November in Colombo. The summit, hosted by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), brought together delegates from 30 countries, including 75 foreign and 100 local participants.
Chairman of Bank of Ceylon, Mr. Kavinda De Soysa, represented the Bank at the forum and joined industry leaders as a panelist. He shared insights on the Bank’s sustainability commitments, climate-action initiatives and social responsibility efforts, highlighting the institution’s expanding role in Sri Lanka’s environmental transition.
The summit, held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel, provided an international platform to discuss media-driven strategies for resilience, preparedness and climate responsibility. Bank of Ceylon’s participation underscored its broader commitment to supporting national and global climate objectives.
Bank of Ceylon has introduced several initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and strengthening resource conservation. The Bank has rolled out biodegradable electronic cards and biodegradable tills to minimize plastic waste, while also expanding its recycling partnerships. Through collaborations with Plasticcycle and Neptune Recyclers, BOC has enhanced plastic and paper recovery across its operations.
The Bank continues to transition its network to renewable energy, with 100 branches now fully powered by solar installations generating 4MW of clean energy. Several branches have also achieved green building certification, reflecting sustainable design and operational efficiency.
BOC’s environmental programmes further extend to conservation and community engagement. The Bank has partnered with Biodiversity Sri Lanka and the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) on coastal cleanup efforts in Beruwala, supported mangrove restoration activities, and conducted wildlife awareness initiatives.
In addition to operational sustainability, BOC is expanding its green finance portfolio. The Bank offers dedicated loan facilities for solar adoption, electric vehicles, waste management solutions and environmentally beneficial ventures that contribute to the country’s green transition. The Bank is also preparing to launch a sustainability bond to scale climate-positive and socially impactful projects nationwide.
Bank of Ceylon noted that its involvement in the summit is part of a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship. Each initiative, whether operational, financial or community-focused, advances the Bank’s goal of contributing to a more sustainable future for Sri Lanka.
