‘Samata Kotasak, Samata Ekakayak’ forums draw large crowds in Anuradhapura and Jaffna

• SEC and CSE continue their islandwide investor outreach campaign with forums in Anuradhapura and Jaffna
• The ‘Samata Kotasak, Samata Ekakayak’ initiative attracted a high turnout of more than 600 participants
• Investors engaged directly with industry experts on equities, unit trusts and current market opportunities
• “New investors can start with unit trusts, while investors with financial acumen can invest directly through stockbrokers”

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) have taken their ‘A Share for Everyone, A Unit for Everyone’ (Samata Kotasak, Samata Ekakayak) initiative to Anuradhapura and Jaffna through investor forums held last week, as part of an ongoing islandwide effort to broaden investor participation.

The forums were held on 10 September at the Golden Mango in Anuradhapura and on 12 September at the Tilko Jaffna City Hotel. The forums attracted more than 600 participants across both locations.

The ‘A Share for Everyone, A Unit for Everyone’ concept, developed by SEC Chairman Sen. Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara and launched in July this year, aims to promote a shared commitment to creating wealth and value within a fair, efficient, orderly and transparent capital market by ensuring broad and accessible participation for all.

As part of this initiative, the SEC and CSE will continue to host investor forums across the country to strengthen investor education and awareness while promoting broader participation in the capital market beyond the Western Province.

By leveraging the CSE’s nationwide reach and the growing interest in equity investments, the program will provide investors with greater access to Sri Lanka’s capital market through stockbroking firms and unit trust management companies.

“Traditionally, Sri Lankan investors have favoured conventional investment avenues, but these have yielded comparatively lower returns than the capital market,” remarked CSE Executive Vice President – Marketing Niroshan Wijesundere, speaking on the unit trust and stockbroking firm outreach objectives of the broad-basing initiative.

“Over the medium to long term, capital markets have given higher returns. By setting aside small allocations to invest regularly through professionally managed vehicles such as unit trusts, first-time investors can participate in the capital market, receive higher returns in the medium to long term, and gain experience and confidence.

“On the other hand, those with experience and knowledge can directly engage with the capital market through a stockbroking firm. Traditional investments are liable to be taxed, whereas investments in the capital market are capital gains tax-free.”

Speaking on the favourable investment climate, he noted that the Sri Lankan capital market is at a relatively low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 11.03x in a global context.

“As covered in the presentations at the forums, the Sri Lankan capital market has demonstrated comparative resilience in the face of global market corrections, such as the Middle Eastern crisis. Sri Lanka has withstood bigger shocks, such as past crises, the war, COVID-19, the economic downturn and the fuel crisis. The market has, despite all this, provided better returns compared to traditional investment avenues over the course of the last four to five years.”

Over the past six years, the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) has increased from 5,320 points in August 2020 to 21,315 points by the end of August 2026, representing a growth of 300% and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 26%.

The investor forums began with presentations by representatives of leading stockbroking firms. Speakers, including Asha Securities Vice President – Research A. Visaahan and Capital Trust Securities Head of Research Dilina Kulatunga, provided introductory presentations on the capital market and comprehensive overviews of the current market outlook for prospective investors in Jaffna and Anuradhapura, respectively.

Participants also had the opportunity to hear directly from unit trust management companies about investing in equity funds and the benefits they offer. These insights were provided through presentations by Softlogic Asset Management Manager – Business Development Kumudu Kekirideniya and NDB Wealth Senior Manager Thillainadarajah Luxchan, who delivered their presentations in Anuradhapura and Jaffna, respectively.

Both forums concluded with a panel discussion and Q&A session, bringing together the speakers and senior representatives of the SEC and CSE, including CSE Executive Vice President – Marketing Niroshan Wijesundere, SEC Senior Manager – External Relations Sheena Goonaratna and SEC Manager – External Relations Nimal Kumarasinghe, to discuss opportunities in Sri Lankan equities and address participants’ questions.

During the investor forums, prospective investors had the opportunity to meet representatives from stockbroking firms and unit trust management companies to open investment accounts.