Trade Ministry and Registrar of Companies join SEC and CSE to host Issuer Forum

From left: Nilupa Perera, Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Senior Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara, Kapila Pathirage, Ruwani Samarakoon, Manjula De Silva and Pasindu Perera

• Focuses on exploring new directions for corporate growth

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), the Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development Ministry, 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, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe 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, SEC Chairman Senior Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara 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 Asia Securities Senior Vice President – Investment Banking Pasindu Perera 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, CSE CEO  Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Pasindu Perera, BPPL Holdings PLC Former Independent Non-Executive Director Manjula De Silva, CSE Chief Regulatory Officer Nilupa Perera, and JAT Holdings PLC Manager – Corporate Planning Ruwani Samarakoon with HNB Stockbrokers Sales Director Kapila Pathirage moderating the discussion.

A success story segment was led by Ruwani Samarakoon and 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.