CSE Completes 4,000-Tree Reforestation Project in Rajawaka Forest 🌲

• The Initiative: The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) concluded the second stage of its "Celebrate 40 years with 4,000 Trees" CSR project in collaboration with "Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka." The final phase began with planting 200 saplings in the Rajawaka rainforest, wrapping up the 4,000-tree target launched last November. • Environmental Context: The project aligns with the national WANAROPA program and the global 'Bonn Challenge,' which aims to restore 200,000 hectares of degraded forest land in Sri Lanka. The Rajawaka rainforest spans wet and intermediate zones, critical for biodiversity, carbon absorption, and water security. • Sustainability & Finance: Beyond conservation, CSE highlighted its broader push for sustainable finance. Key developments include: • Mandating SLFRS S1 and S2 sustainability disclosure standards for the top 100 listed companies (by market cap) starting financial year 2025. • Expanding the regulatory framework for Green, Social, Sustainability, and Sustainability-Linked (GSS+) bonds. • Between 2024 and 2026, listed companies issued 11 such debentures (including Green and Blue bonds), raising over Rs. 82 Bn.