Environmental, Social And Governance Sustainability Policy

The Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Sustainability Policy of Central Finance Company PLC outlines the principles and the Company’s commitment to integrating ESG principles into its operations, decision-making processes and corporate culture, aligning with applicable laws and regulations to ensure ESG compliance.

The primary objectives of the ESG Policy of the Company:

a) Ensures transparency and accountability in governance while upholding good governance
and ethical business practices.
b) Complies with applicable laws and regulations governing the business operations.
c) Integrates sustainability into business strategy and promotes responsible business practices.
d) Enhances financial inclusiveness for underserved communities.
e) Protects the environment, promotes good workforce and employment practices and fosters
community well-being.

The Company acknowledges the significance and relevance of environmental, social and governance risks and opportunity management and endeavors to incorporate ESG principles into the Company’s business operations through robust ESG framework.

The Company’s ESG framework comprises of following four pillars;

a) Governance Framework
b) Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Sustainability approach
c) Review, monitoring and reporting of ESG performance
d) Training and capacity building

4.1. The Board of Directors (Board) is the ultimate decision-making authority on the Company’s ESG priorities, guided by advice from the Board’s Integrated Risk Management Committee (BIRMC) and the Sustainability Management Steering Committee (SMSC). The Board ensures the delegated roles to the management with clear oversight mechanism to ensure accountability and effective implementation of ESG Framework. The SMSC is chaired by the Managing Director and comprises of corporate and senior management.

4.2. The BIRMC reviews the reports submitted by the SMSC and ensures that processes are in place for identifying, assessing, monitoring, and reporting potential ESG risks, as well as the availability of effective measures to control and mitigate such risks to prudent levels.

4.3. The SMSC connects the Board, the BIRMC and the Board of Management (BoM) with operational teams, developing and executing ESG strategies, evaluating and managing ESG risks and opportunities, developing and monitoring progress through roadmaps, parameters, and matrices. It ensures regulatory compliance, regularly updates the Board, BIRMC and BoM on sustainability-related matters.

4.4. Heads of Business Units/ Branch Managers identify sustainability issues, ESG risks, and sustainability projects, which the SMSC evaluates and recommends for the BoM and Board approval. Once approved, the SMSC assigns, monitors, and ensures compliance with projects.

4.5. The Internal Audit independently tests the effectiveness of the ESG reporting and related controls.

The Company’s sustainability approach is based on three pillars of sustainability and below core areas with in ESG fundamentals will support the Company’s sustainable goals:

a) Environment Sustainability – Green financing product and services, digital solutions, energy efficiency, environmental engagements.
b) Social Sustainability – Responsible financing and financial inclusiveness, equitable safe and healthy workplace, social empowerment.
c) Governance Sustainability – Good governance and ethical business practices, responsible value creation and stakeholder wellbeing, lean management and productivity.

The SMSC shall review and monitor ESG performance, establishes KPIs, ensures compliance with the Company’s ESG strategy and applicable laws and regulations, ensure transparent reporting and promotes innovation for continuous ESG improvement.

The Company endeavors to enhance ESG success by developing employees’ skills, providing ESG training, investing in capacity-building and hiring external experts as necessary.

This policy will be subject to annual review by the SMSC and approval by CF Board.

The contact person for any inquiry with regard to ESG policy;

Ms. A.R.L Gurusinghe
Company Secretary
No. 268, Vauxhall Street, Colombo 02
Telephone: 001- 2315065