CSE hosts forum to raise awareness on alternative investment avenues

Panel discussion at the “Creating Opportunities for Wealth Creation and Diversification” awareness session

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recently hosted a special awareness session titled “Creating Opportunities for Wealth Creation and Diversification” at the Hilton, Colombo. 

The primary goal of the forum was to create awareness among investors about the range of alternative instruments available at the CSE, that could be considered alongside traditional equity investments, and how these products can generate returns.

Attracting over 160 participants, this significant gathering brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, primary dealers, fund managers, and rating agencies.

Delivering the opening remarks, CSE Chairman Dilshan Wirasekera stated: “Historically, the Colombo Stock Exchange was equity-dominated. However, thanks to the foresight of current and previous SEC chairs, a joint committee for product development introduced products such as stock borrowing and lending, short selling, and sustainable bonds, including green and blue bonds. We also launched infrastructure bonds and Islamic financial products to attract significant capital from the Middle East and Southeast Asia.”

Addressing the participants, SEC Chairman Faizal Salieh stated: “Our focus on sustainability-linked products aims to attract ESG-conscious investors who prioritise transparency and global standards. Additionally, the Joint Committee is advancing high-grade corporate debt trading, expanding sustainable bonds to include social bonds, and establishing a Central Counterparty (CCP) system, paving the way for new products such as derivatives and risk hedging instruments at the CSE.”

The event featured a series of insightful presentations;

LYNEAR Wealth Management Head of Equities Asanka Herath on “Exploring stock borrowing and lending and regulated short selling: Benefits for investors”.

NDB Wealth Management Ltd. Chief Investment Officer Vindya Jayasekara on “Why corporate bonds present a compelling alternative to traditional fixed-rate investments and the rationale for investing in green/sustainability bond issuances”.

ADL Capital Ltd. CEO/Managing Director Ishrat Rauff on “Assessing the investment landscape for shariah-compliant debt securities in Sri Lanka – A case for investors”.

The forum also featured an engaging panel discussion with notable speakers: CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CSE SVP – Broker Supervision and Listed Entity Compliance Nilupa Perera, ADB Finance Consultant – International GSS Karthik Iyer, who participated online; as well as Ishrat Rauff, Asanka Herath, and Vindya Jayasekara. The discussion was moderated by CSE SVP – Marketing Niroshan Wijesundere.

Following the panel discussion and Q&A session, attendees praised the event for its valuable and insightful perspectives.