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ISCCI Hosts “Bridging Borders” Financial Dialogue on INR Bond Opportunities for Sri Lanka

Venue: BMICH, Colombo
Date: Wednesday, 15th October 2025

The Indo–Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ISCCI) successfully hosted the second edition of its flagship financial dialogue, “Bridging Borders”, under the theme “Enabling Sri Lanka’s Market Bond Issuance in Indian Currency – Pathways, Policies, and Preparedness” at the BMICH, Colombo. The event brought together leading financial experts, policymakers, and institutional heads from both countries to discuss the prospects of INR-denominated bonds (“Masala Bonds”) as a catalyst for deeper Indo–Sri Lankan financial integration.

The session featured a distinguished panel including Dr. Satyajai Jha Pandey, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka; Prins Perera, Senior Vice President and Head of Treasury, Investment and Wholesale Banking, DFCC Bank; Eran Wickramaratne, Former State Minister of Finance; Nissanka W. Wijeyeratne, Secretary General and CEO, Chamber of Construction Industry; and Sachith Perera, CEO, First Capital Ltd. The discussion was moderated by Talal Rafi, Economist and Global Thought Leader.

In his keynote remarks, Dr. Pandey highlighted India’s readiness to support Sri Lanka in financing infrastructure and sustainable projects through INR-denominated instruments. He described the initiative as “a symbol of growing confidence between the two economies” and emphasized that such financial tools could pave the way for long-term collaboration, trade stability, and regional trust.

Speakers from Sri Lanka’s banking sector, including DFCC Bank, shared that local institutions have collectively extended nearly USD 1 billion in loans to Indian entities. DFCC Bank also announced its plan to issue Sri Lanka’s first INR-denominated Masala Bond on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange within the coming weeks — marking a significant milestone in bilateral financial cooperation.

Former Minister Eran Wickramaratne underscored the importance of aligning future sovereign INR bond issuances with post-IMF programme stabilization, ensuring sustainable debt management and investor confidence.

The dialogue reaffirmed the shared vision of India and Sri Lanka to advance financial innovation, enhance currency cooperation, and transform bilateral trade into a resilient network of economic trust.

ISCCI remains committed to facilitating such strategic forums that strengthen Indo–Sri Lankan cooperation, encourage policy dialogue, and create new pathways for sustainable growth and regional financial integration.

ISCCI Newsletter - 4th August 2025

News Letter of Indo Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry

"Waves of Growth, Winds of Change"

A Chronicle of Indo-Sri Lankan Synergy in Trade, Culture, Diplomacy & Innovation

A Message from Indo Sri Lanka Chambers Of Commerce and Industry

Dear Members, Partners, and Friends,

The pulse of a region is not only measured by its markets or movements — but by its shared spirit. Over the months of June and July 2025, the Indo-Sri Lankan relationship has revealed once again that our proximity is not just geographical — it is historical, emotional, strategic, and increasingly, futuristic.

From anchoring new conversations on ports and trade, to lighting spiritual lamps in Anuradhapura, to forging financial alliances and reimagining sustainable futures — ISCCI has proudly stood at the crossroads of vision and action.

This newsletter captures the essence of this exciting phase, not just to inform, but to inspire deeper engagement in the journey ahead.

I. ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY & TRADE ENGAGEMENTS

Port-Centric Growth: The Blue Gateway to Shared Prosperity

ISCCI’s strategic delegation visited Trincomalee and Hambantota to initiate dialogues around Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models, infrastructure financing, and trade facilitation.

  • Development of multi-modal logistics zones
  • Indo-Lankan maritime skill-building partnerships
  • Enhancing port-to-port connectivity with Vizag, Chennai & Kochi
“Trincomalee is not just a port — it is a portal into the future of Indo-South Asian trade.”

Bilateral Trade & Customs Dialogue – Colombo

  • Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Trade
  • India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
  • Key private sector exporters and MSME stakeholders

Discussion Highlights:

  • Strengthening the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA)
  • Addressing non-tariff barriers
  • Joint innovation fund for MSMEs and startups

II. FINANCIAL COOPERATION & CAPITAL MOBILITY

Launch of “Venture Voice” – ISCCI Finance Series | New Delhi, July 5

  • International Asset Management Specialists
  • Infrastructure & Energy Fund Leaders
  • Sri Lankan Commercial Delegates
  • Indian NBFC & Venture Capital Thinkers

The forum emphasized:

  • Green Finance & Climate Investment
  • Cross-border Start-Up Capital Channels
  • Reinsurance Mechanisms for Indo-SL Ventures
“Finance is not just about funding — it’s about fueling futures.”

III. CULTURE AS CURRENCY: A DIPLOMATIC SOFT POWER STRATEGY

Ram Katha Festival – Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka | June 28 – July 3

  • Joint Art Installations
  • Sanskrit-Tamil-Sinhala Cultural Exchange Forums
  • Women’s Folk Story Circles from Mithila & Sri Lanka

IV. THE BLUE ECONOMY: FROM SEA TO STRATEGY

Sustainable Fisheries & Marine Economy Forum – Colombo

  • Marine biodiversity protection
  • Sustainable fishing agreements
  • Indo-SL Seafood Trade Ecosystem Enhancement
  • Capacity building for island communities

An Indo-SL Joint Marine Strategy 2030 draft paper is under review.

“The ocean that divides us is also the ocean that unites us.”

V. MEDIA & NARRATIVE DIPLOMACY

Global Media Conclave 2025 – New Delhi | June 26

  • Award-winning journalists
  • OTT content developers
  • Policy communicators
  • Cultural historians

Panels explored:

  • Cross-border digital storytelling
  • Media’s role in preserving dying arts
  • Narratives in diplomacy vs. tourism

A joint resolution “Media Beyond Borders” was signed.

VI. DIPLOMATIC & POLITICAL COLLABORATION

Strategic Dialogue with Sri Lankan High Commission – New Delhi

  • Streamlined business visa processing
  • Youth Parliament Exchange Initiative
  • Joint Think Tank Collaboration (ISCCI & SL Economic Institute)
“Diplomacy in today’s world is not about protocol — it is about people, policy, and partnerships.”

VII. WHAT'S NEXT: UPCOMING FLAGSHIP EVENTS

  • Launch of ISCCI South India Chapter
    Chennai | August 24, 2025
  • Beach Barbecue & Beer Festival 2025
    Bentota | Sept 6–7, 2025
  • Indo-Sri Lanka GEM & MINING SUMMIT
    Kandy | October 2025
  • Solar Synergy Expo – Green Power Dialogue
    Jaffna | November 2025

VIII. CALLING THE NEXT GENERATION

ISCCI Internship Program

  • Blue Economy & Ocean Diplomacy
  • Trade Research & Policy Mapping
  • Tourism Branding & Cross-Border Promotion
  • Heritage Communication & Youth Exchange

Apply at: iscciinfo@gmail.com

IX. Let’s Stay in Touch – Let’s Stay Inspired

Email: iscciinfo@gmail.com
Website: www.iscci.org.in

Follow us on: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X)
Tags: #ISCCI2025 #IndoSriLankaRising

Closing Thought

"Indo-Sri Lanka is not just a relationship — it is a rhythm. A rhythm of tides, of temples, of trade routes and trust. And through ISCCI, we ride that rhythm with purpose."

Warm regards,
ISCCI Secretariat
Indo-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce & Industry