Stock market opportunities presented to investors and entrepreneurs in Polonnaruwa

CSE Media Release - Stock Market opportunities presented to investors and entrepreneurs in Polonnaruwa 

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in association with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) recently engaged the business and investor community in Polonnaruwa to educate participants on stock market investments and listing on the stock exchange through the Empower Board. 

The Investor Forum marked the 18th event of the regional investor forum series titled ‘Kotas Welenda Pola: Nagarayen Nagarayate’ organised to create awareness on stock market investment while the Empower Board Forum was the eighth regional event organised to create awareness on the Empower Board, CSE’s platform for SMEs to list on the stock market. 

Investor Forum makes case for investment in stocks

The investor forum drew an encouraging response from the community based in the region and was attended by present and prospective investors. Content discussed at the event included an introduction to investing in the stock market, an investment outlook of key sectors represented by companies listed on the CSE and a broad discussion on investing in the stock market through a Q&A session and panel discussion. 

Softlogic Stock Brokers Senior Investment Advisor Madushanka Rathnayaka, Capital Alliance Securities Assistant Vice President – Research Mahesh Udugampala and CSE Anuradhapura Branch Manager Tharaka Amarasena spoke at the event while SEC Director Surveillance Prabash Wanigathunge and CSE Kandy Branch Manager Dhananjaya Abeysiriwardana joined in as panellists during the discussion segment. Representatives from Asha Securities and LOLC Securities were present at the event. 

Empower Board Forum discusses capital raising for entrepreneurs in the region

The Empower Board Forum drew the interest of the business community in Polonnaruwa and was attended by leading entrepreneurs in the region representing industries and sectors such as agriculture, hotels, healthcare, trading, livestock and other sectors. 

The highlight of the event was the insights shared by Raygam Wayamba Salterns PLC Executive Director G.V.P.G. Amarasinghe on the experience of listing in the stock market. Amarasinghe speaking at the event offered perspective on the journey of the company since its inception, the thought process at the time of listing the company on the stock market and thoughts on the experience of being a listed company including the benefits and the challenges. 

The Empower Board listing standards and eligibility was presented by CT CLSA Capital Assistant Vice President of Investment Banking Ishan Eliyapola. The speakers were joined by SEC Director Surveillance Prabash Wanigathunge and CSE Assistant Manager Listings Chandana Wijesundere for a discussion with the audience, which was moderated by CSE Anuradhapura Branch Manager Tharaka Amarasena. Representatives from Empower Board Sponsors CT CLSA Capital, Citizens Development Business Finance PLC and NDB Investment Bank were also present at the event. 

The requirements and the process involved with a listing on the Empower Board have been tailored to address the context of these companies, and largely vary from the Main and Diri Savi Boards. The Empower Board aims to capture companies that could demonstrate a stated capital of between Rs. 25 million and Rs. 100 million at the point of listing. Apart from access to capital, the Empower Board also offers companies opportunities to build credibility through transparency and good governance.

For more information on the Empower Board and Investing in the Capital market visit www.cse.lk.