The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), successfully conducted an Issuer Awareness and Educational Session titled “Path to a Public Listing” recently at the Senate Board Room of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ), engaging both students and alumni.
The initiative aimed to provide essential knowledge on capital markets, preparing participants to make informed decisions as future entrepreneurs. Attracting over 80 attendees, the session provided valuable insights into the listing process, capital market mechanisms, and the benefits of accessing public capital.
Delivering the opening remarks, Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CEO of the CSE stated, “The CSE has long collaborated with academic institutions to bridge the knowledge gap in capital markets, aiming to equip the next generation with the tools to succeed in today’s financial landscape. The stock market plays a vital role in economic development, and your participation in it will contribute to Sri Lanka’s broader financial ecosystem, helping to shape the future of our economy.”
In his keynote speech, Senior Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara, Chairman of the SEC and Senior Professor at USJ mentioned, “Sri Lanka is undergoing significant economic transformation, with active government policy reforms, and capital markets play a vital role in driving this economic growth. The SEC and CSE are fully committed to promoting both investor and issuer education, ensuring that more people understand how capital markets operate.”
He went on to encourage the students, stating, “The SEC has evolved from being solely a regulator to a facilitator, fostering the growth of capital markets while ensuring investor protection. I urge you to take part in this transformative process to help build a thriving capital market that contributes to the country’s development.”
A key segment of the event featured presentations by Ms. Punyamali Saparamadu, Senior Vice President – Commercial, CSE, on “Understanding Capital Markets and Funding Options,” followed by Mr. Dishan Vitharanage, Manager – Corporate Advisory & Capital Markets at Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC, who presented an “In-Depth Exploration of Transitioning to a Listed Entity.”
Another highlight of the event was the panel discussion titled “Journey Towards Listing and Life After Listing”, which featured industry experts sharing real-world insights on the listing process and post-listing obligations.
The panel comprised Ms. Manuri Weerasinghe, Director – Corporate Affairs, SEC; Ms Punyamali Saparamadu, SVP – Commercial, CSE; Mr. Dishan Vitharanage, Manager – Corporate Advisory & Capital Markets, Merchant Bank of Sri Lanka & Finance PLC; and Mr. Vijayananth Guganathan, Chairman, Maharaja Foods PLC, with Ms. Himashi Wickramasinghe, Manager – Commercial, CSE, moderating the discussion.
This Issuer Awareness and Educational initiative reflects the ongoing efforts of the SEC and CSE to foster financial literacy and capital market awareness among future professionals. By empowering students with knowledge on investment opportunities and corporate financing, the initiative aims to support the development of a well-informed and dynamic financial ecosystem in Sri Lanka.
