The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), hosted an Issuer Forum in Gampaha to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in exploring avenues for capital raising through listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange.
The forum, titled ‘Redefining the Trajectory of Your Business’, provided guidance on exploring effective capital-raising avenues, specifically through listing on the Empower and Diri Savi Boards. These boards offer dedicated listing platforms for SMEs, focusing on sectors such as agribusiness, livestock, energy generation, ICT, and tourism-related ventures. Attracting over 70 participants, the forum offered valuable insights that were well received.
The main presentation of the evening, delivered by Senior Management Associate of the Corporate Advisory Division at NDB Investment Bank Limited, Nikila Darmadasa educated the participants on the benefits of capital generation and mobilisation through listing on the CSE, outlining the processes and advantages for businesses ready to grow beyond traditional financing models.
A panel discussion on “The Journey Towards Listing and Life After Listing” featured Director, Corporate Affairs, SEC, Manuri Weerasinghe, CEO, CSE, Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Nikila Darmadasa, and Managing Director and CEO, Mahaweli Coconut Plantations PLC, J.F. Fernandopulle.
The session was moderated by, Senior Vice President, Commercial, CSE, Punyamali Saparamadu. The panel offered practical perspectives on preparing for a listing, regulatory expectations, and the business journeypost-listing.
This initiative reflects the continued commitment of the SEC and CSE to broaden access to capital market opportunities for SMEs across Sri Lanka, enabling them to scale sustainably while contributing meaningfully to the national economy.
