CSE joins United Nations SSE Initiative

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) joined the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative, a partnership among the UN, UN-supported organizations, stock exchanges, investors, companies, regulators and governments around the world. The Chairman, Colombo Stock Exchange, Vajira Kulatilaka made the public its entry to SSE during a Leadership Luncheon recently, at the New York Stock Exchange.

The SSE Initiative, launched by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2009, aims to explore how exchanges can work together with investors, regulators and companies to promote sustainability initiatives. Over the years it has contributed to enhance corporate transparency on Environmental, Social, and corporate Governance (ESG) issues and encourage responsible long term approaches to investment.

Kulatilaka said, "I believe that being part of the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative demonstrates our commitment towards adopting sustainable business practices. We endeavour to engage with our stakeholders, and collectively work towards sustainable policy initiatives which will help us create better corporate citizens in the areas of environment, society and governance."

Chief Executive Officer, CSE, Rajeeva Bandaranaike said, "The CSE publicly demonstrates its commitment to sustainability, while promoting better business practices within the Sri Lankan Capital Market. Moreover, CSE encourages listed companies to measure and publicly report their ESG performance and impacts."

Sri Lanka Representative and Director, UN Global Compact Network, Sri Lanka, Sutheash Balasubramaniam said, "The Board Members of UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka are encouraged by the Colombo Stock Exchange partnering UN Sustainable Stock Exchange with a focus to drive responsible investment and sustainable business.

This partnership will enhance the global positioning of CSE while creating a platform for the Sri Lankan capital market to be abreast with international trends. UNGC Sri Lanka Network will support CSE in building a sustainable stock exchange of greater value."