Thursday Feb 19, 2026
Thursday Feb 19, 2026
Thursday, 19 February 2026 02:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The unit trust industry of Sri Lanka has reported a 6.1% year-on-year (YoY) growth of its assets under management (AUM), crossing the Rs. 600 billion mark by the end of January 2026.
AUM was up 3.8% since December 2025. These assets are currently managed across 84 funds by 16 management companies.
AUM was driven primarily by equity-related funds, which doubled to Rs. 67 billion from the prior year, while also growing by a rapid 10.2% since December 2025. Fixed income funds, on the other hand, grew by 2.9% YoY. The continued growth in equity-related funds reflects positive investor sentiment and a willingness to participate in the strong capital market performance seen over the past two years, as investors increasingly seek long-term capital appreciation.
The industry saw 3,110 new unit holders invest in the market in January, up 35% YoY, bringing the total number of unit trust investors to 147,020, which represents a 25.7% YoY increase. This growth reflects the continued efforts of the Unit Trust Association of Sri Lanka (UTASL) and regulators to enhance awareness, accessibility, and confidence in relation to unit trust investments.
UTASL Treasurer and LYNEAR Wealth Management CEO – Unit Trusts and Head of Equities Asanka Herath said: “The industry’s performance in January reflects a healthy start to 2026, supported by sustained inflows into equity-related funds and steady overall expansion of AUM. This trend suggests that investors are becoming more deliberate in their allocation strategies, seeking growth opportunities while maintaining diversified exposure through professionally managed funds.”
“We are also encouraged by the continued rise in new unit holders, which signals widening participation in capital markets. As we move further into the year, the focus will remain on improving investor awareness, enhancing product accessibility, and ensuring that disciplined fund management continues to deliver long-term value to investors,” he added.
The UTASL is the representative body for the country’s licenced fund management companies, dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and transparency across the industry. Consisting of 16 member companies regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), the UTASL aims to popularise unit trusts and encourage Sri Lankans to prioritise long-term and professionally guided investing, in addition to short-term savings, whilst contributing to national economic growth.
