Overwhelming response for CSE Investor Day in Hambantota

The second Investor Day of Insight into Investing, the islandwide investor awareness program by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) was launched in Hambantota on Thursday 20 September, amidst many eager investors.

The second Investor Day was held in Hambantota conforming to the periphery awareness aspect of the program. Hambantota has been made a focal point by the CSE due to the rapid economic and social development in the district as well as its growth potential. Almost all the participants acknowledged the initiative taken by the CSE to conduct the island wide investor awareness program.

Private sector employee Sudesh Edirisinghe observed that the Investor Day was a very beneficial event especially since it exposed the various facets of financial planning and the objectives of investments. Moreover, he added that although the area was in development, the people lacked the proper knowledge to enter the stock market and that the initiative taken by the CSE would allow potential investors to do so. He also pointed out that the programme was helpful when it comes to decision making and setting up of future financial goals.    “When we receive money, we normally deposit it in banks. However, this programme has highlighted alternative avenues of investing and this is a great opportunity for us to be educated on the stock market,” Perera, a businessman from Sooriyawewa, said.

The Investor Day in Hambantota attracted a large crowd of more than 900 participants from all walks of life including the agricultural community and young entrepreneurs. The sessions were conducted with seminars which included segments for school teachers, students and young entrepreneurs. The Investor Day also witnessed the participation of members from vocational training centres and youth councils.

“There are so many advantages from this programme. As youngsters, we should know the ways and means of how to build entrepreneurships and the Investor Day has enabled us to learn more about investing and how it can be used to achieve future benefits,” a member of the Yowun Senanka said.

The primary motive of these Investor Days is to educate the general public and attract new investors with a comprehensive understanding of the stock market. The participants were able to interact with the officials from the CSE and clarify many issues. The Investor Days which comprises the first phase of the Insight into Investing enables participants to register for the education workshops that will follow in the second phase.  “Although we understand the theoretical aspect of investing in the education curriculum, the programme helped us a lot in understanding the practical side. Hambantota is a very rural area and this was a great opportunity for us,” K.A. Kamalawathie, a Commerce Teacher at the Ambalanthota Maha Vidyalaya, said.  The third Investor Day of the programme was held at the Postal Complex Auditorium in Badulla on 22 September. The next event is scheduled for 25 September at Negombo Town Hall Building.