The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, and the Registrar of Companies (RoC), successfully conducted an Issuer Forum titled “Innovative businesses to propel economic growth” recently at The Forum, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams.
The initiative aimed to provide essential knowledge on capital markets, preparing participants to make informed decisions as entrepreneurs and corporate leaders. Attracting a wide representation of businesses, the session provided valuable insights into the listing process, capital market mechanisms, and the benefits of accessing public capital.
In his address, Hon. Mr. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, stated, “As a government, we are committed to providing the right guidance to help you grow your business securely and sustainably. By joining hands with the stock market, you open the door to new opportunities that can enhance the quality of your products and services, enabling you to play a stronger role in the global production economy and thrive in today’s modern world.”
Delivering the keynote speech, Senior Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara, Chairman of the SEC, mentioned, noted, “The Colombo Stock Exchange offers a strategic platform to raise debt-free capital, supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises that contribute over 70% to Sri Lanka’s economy. As investment is essential for sustainable economic progress, we invite you to explore the stock market as a pathway to raise the capital to fuel your business growth.”
A key segment of the event featured a presentation by Mr. Pasindu Perera, Senior Vice President, Investment Banking at Asia Securities, on “Listing Benefits and Regulatory Framework”, where he provided an overview of public listing advantages and regulatory expectations for aspiring issuers.
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 Senior Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara; Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CEO, CSE; Mr. Pasindu Perera; Mr. Manjula De Silva, Former Independent Non-Executive Director, BPPL Holdings PLC; Ms. Nilupa Perera, Chief Regulatory Officer, CSE; and Ms. Ruwani Samarakoon, Manager, Corporate Planning, JAT Holdings PLC, with Mr. Kapila Pathirage, Sales Director, HNB Stockbrokers, moderating the discussion.
A success story segment was led by Ms. Ruwani Samarakoon and Mr. Manjula De Silva, who recounted their company’s respective listing journeys and offered practical insights into strategic decision-making, compliance preparedness, and the long-term benefits of being a listed entity, serving as a motivating example for prospective issuers.
This Issuer Awareness and Educational initiative reflects the ongoing efforts of the aforementioned organisations to foster financial literacy and capital market awareness among Sri Lankan enterprises. By empowering businesses 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.
