SEC and CSE continue drive to broad base stock market

Galle Investor Forum panel discussion undertaken by (from left): NDB Securities Snr. Research Analyst Kaveena Nanayakkara, SEC Actg. Director – Supervision Suneth Perera, and CSE Senior Vice President – Marketing Niroshan Wijesundere 

 Investors and members of the public at the Galle Investor Forum conducted at Town Hall

Members of the Securities and Exchange Commission educating the public on engagement in the Sri Lankan Stock Market, at the Galle Investor Forum 

Investors and members of the public at the Kuliyapitiya Investor Forum conducted at Sudu Araliya Hotel – Kuliyapitiya

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recently conducted more investor forums in Galle, Badulla, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Kegalle and Kuliyapitiya. 

These events aim to raise awareness on investor protection, educate the public on how to invest in the stock market, and leverage on the opportunities present in the capital market. The forums attracted over 800 participants collectively, providing valuable insights to both potential and existing investors in the said regions. 

Each forum also featured a senior SEC representative who provided an overview of the SEC’s role in the equity market, investor protection, and the conduct expected from investors and traders. SEC Acting Director – Supervision Suneth Perera spoke at the forums in Galle and Badulla, while SEC Manager – External Relations Nimal Kumarasinghe spoke at the forums in Ratnapura, Gampaha, Kegalle and Kulipitiya. 

Potential investors and first-time investors were also provided with an opportunity to learn about Unit Trust Investments and their potential for higher returns through the rising capital market. Speakers at the forums included Asset Trust Management Ltd., Portfolio Manager – Investments Naleen Sadesh at the Galle and Badulla investor forums, Fund Manager Suresha Fernando and CT Smith Asset Management Ltd., Snr., Financial Analyst Hansini Aravinda at the Gampaha forum; and JB Financial Ltd., Senior Business Development Manager Dilan Jayakody at forums in Ratnapura, Kegalle and Kuliyapitiya. 

The forums also featured in-depth analyses of sectoral performance and market opportunities by leading stock brokering firms, which highlighted the opportunities provided by the low-interest rate environment that made the capital market more attractive than traditional investment options with declining returns. Speakers at the forums included NDB Securities Ltd., Snr. Research Analyst Kaveena Nanayakkara at the Galle, Badulla and Kuliyapitiya Investor Forums, HNB Stockbrokers Ltd., Kapila Pathirage, Director – Sales at the Ratnapura Investor Forum, Bartleet Religare Securities Ltd., Research Analyst Iranga Fernando at the Gampaha Forum, and Asha Securities Ltd., Research Analyst Chamath Wickrama Arachchi at the Kegalle Investor Forum.

The main feature of each of the forums was an interactive panel discussion with the participation of members of the SEC, CSE and leading stock-brokering firms. The Badulla and Gampaha Forum panellists; SEC Acting Director – Supervision Suneth Perera, CSE Senior Vice President – Marketing Niroshan Wijesundere, Naleen Sadesh, and Kaveena Nanayakarra, with the Galle Forum moderated by Priyantha Heenpella and the Badulla Forum moderated by Jeewan Chathuranga. 

Meanwhile at the Gampaha Investor Forum the panel featured; CSE Manager – Events Nishantha Batagalle, SEC Manager – External Relations Nimal Kumarasinghe, Bartleet Religare Securities Ltd., Research Analyst Iranga Fernando, CT Smith Asset Management Ltd., Fund Manager Suresha Fernando with CSE Srima Fernando moderating the Gampaha Investor Forum. The Ratnapura Investor Forum also featured the Gampaha SEC and CSE panellists as well as HNB Stockbrokers Ltd., Director – Sales Kapila Pathirage, JB Financial Ltd., Snr. Business Development Manager Dilan Jayakody and was moderated by CSE Branch Executive – Ratnapura Lasantha Kumara. 

The Kegalle and Kuliyapitiya Investor Forums panel discussions featured SEC Manager – External Relations Nimal Kumarasinghe, CSE Kandy Branch Manager Dhananjaya Abeysiriwardana, JB Financial Ltd., Snr. Business Development Manager Dilan Jayakody, NDB Securities Ltd., Snr. Research Analyst Kaveena Nanayakkara and Asha Securities Ltd., Research Analyst Chamath Wickrama Arachchi with CSE Kandy Branch Senior Executive Madhawa Aramandeniya moderating. 

Each event concluded with participants being presented with an opportunity to meet investment advisors of Stockbroker Firms, and interviews for investment advisor training programs offered by leading brokering firms. 

These forums and recruitment drives are part of a series of initiatives to raise investor education, financial literacy and expand the reach of the taking the capital market countrywide.