The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), has introduced the initiative titled “A Share for Everyone, A Unit for Everyone” (Samata Kotasak, Samata Ekakayak) during investor forums held last week in Monaragala and Batticaloa. This initiative aims to enhance investor involvement across the country.
The forums took place on July 16 at the Silanrich Hotel in Monaragala and on July 18 at the FG Golden River Hotel in Batticaloa, drawing over 500 participants combined from both events.
Conceptualized by SEC Chairman Sen. Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara, the “A Share for Everyone, A Unit for Everyone” initiative seeks to foster a collective effort toward wealth creation and value enhancement within a capital market that is fair, efficient, orderly, and transparent, ensuring accessibility for all investors.
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As part of this initiative, the SEC and CSE plan to organize investor forums nationwide to bolster investor education and awareness, particularly encouraging participation from regions outside the Western Province. By leveraging the CSE’s extensive network and the rising interest in equity markets, this program aims to provide investors with better access to the Sri Lankan capital market through stockbroking firms and unit trust management companies.
Participants at the forums will also have the chance to receive investment coupons sponsored by the SEC and CSE, which can be utilized for their equity investments.
The investor forums commenced with presentations from senior economists at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, including Mr. N. B. Janagan and Mr. Kasunka Herath, who shared insights on the macroeconomic conditions of the country.
Representatives from prominent stockbroking firms also delivered presentations, such as Mr. Atchuthan Srirangan, Vice President of Corporate Finance & Advisory at First Capital Holdings PLC, and Mr. Kapila Pathirage, Director of Sales at HNB Stockbrokers (Pvt) Ltd, who provided an overview of the capital market and its investment avenues.
Additionally, professionals from the unit trust sector led an introductory seminar on the workings and advantages of unit trusts. Speakers included Mr. Kumudu Kekirideniya, Manager of Business Development at Softlogic Asset Management (Pvt) Ltd, and Mr. Mohamed Ashfer, Business Development Officer at the same firm, who educated participants on the basics of investing in unit trusts.
The forums concluded with a dynamic panel discussion and a Q&A session, allowing for diverse insights from both the speakers and members of the SEC and CSE. Panelists included the aforementioned speakers alongside Mr. Niroshan Wijesundere, Executive Vice President of the CSE, Ms. Sheena Goonaratna, Senior Manager of External Relations at the SEC, and Mr. Nimal Kumarasinghe, SEC Manager of External Relations.
During the forums, potential investors were able to interact with representatives from stockbroker firms and unit trusts to open accounts, with the first 400 participants receiving investment coupons from the SEC and CSE.
This initiative comes during a period of remarkable growth in the capital market, where the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) has surged from 4,846 points in May 2020 to an impressive 22,310.80 points by the end of May 2026, reflecting a remarkable increase of 360% and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 28.98%, with capital gains remaining exempt from taxes.
Photo Caption: Members of the Monaragala Investor Forum Panel Discussion (L – R): Mr. Kumudu Kekirideniya, Manager of Business Development at Softlogic Asset Management (Pvt) Ltd; Mr. Kapila Pathirage, Director of Sales at HNB Stockbrokers (Pvt) Ltd; Mr. Niroshan Wijesundere, Executive Vice President of Marketing at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE); Mr. Nimal Kumarasinghe, Manager of External Relations at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC).
Financial Chronicle Biz English | Sri Lanka Business News.
