SL beckons global investors next week

CSE Chairman Dilshan Wirasekara (centre) gestures at the press conference on upcoming ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ Investor Forum on Tuesday. Others (from left): CSE Directors Sujeewa Peiris, Kosala Gamage, Dimuthu Abeysekera, Ray Abeywardena, CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Director Arjuna Herath, and CEO-Designate Vindhya Jayasekera – Pic by Upul Abayasekara 

•  ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ Capital Market Investor Forum from 27 to 28 March will see over 100 foreign investors in Colombo
• CSE Chairman Dilshan Wirasekara says there are signs of a renaissance in the country following 5% GDP growth in 2024
• Sri Lanka was second best performing market after Pakistan and among frontier markets
• Sri Lanka remains most attractive given the Price Earnings Ratio (PER) of 8.5 times

Sri Lanka will make a fresh push to woo foreign portfolio investors next week via a key forum organised by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

Over 100 foreign investors, including over 30 fund managers, are scheduled to attend the ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ Capital Market Investor Forum 2025 from 27 to 28 March at Shangri-La, Colombo. It is hosted by the CSE in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the stockbroker industry.

The forum will feature high-ranking officials, including Government policymakers, regulators, representatives of leading listed companies, and stockbroker firms, and will present a unified vision of Sri Lanka’s potential as a dynamic investment 

hub.

It will bring together key stakeholders from local and international markets, fostering connections and partnerships that drive mutual growth.

This includes foreign institutional investors and fund managers, local fund managers, and institutional investors as well as industry leaders, creating a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

CSE Chairman Dilshan Wirasekara told the media on Tuesday that time was opportune to lure foreign investors given the country’s economic stability, recent growth trajectory, and future outlook. Following the achievement of 5% GDP growth in 2024, he said there are signs of a renaissance in the country beyond the initial recovery. 

He said that having grown by over 50% in 2024, Sri Lanka was the second best performing market after Pakistan and among frontier markets. Sri Lanka remains the most attractive given the Price Earnings Ratio (PER) of 8.5 times. It was noted that 2025 has seen an encouraging start in the first two months, though in March, there has been consolidation and a correction.

In 2024, the CSE saw a net foreign buying of Rs. 51 billion as opposed to Rs. 6 billion net inflow in 2023. In 2025 thus far, there has been a net outflow of over Rs. 10 billion, which Wirasekara said was part of the market’s dynamics.

CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike said as per registrations so far, there is global representation at the upcoming Investor Forum. “We will have investors from Europe, the US, the Middle East, Japan, Australia, and India,” he added.

On the sidelines of the Forum, the CSE will also sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with several regional markets including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Maldives for collaboration. “We are pursuing collaboration among frontier markets, with Sri Lanka taking the lead,” CSE Chief Wirasekara said. 

The CSE said Sri Lanka’s economy is undergoing a commendable revival, positioning its capital market as an attractive diversification option for global investors, offering a unique opportunity to be a part of the country’s growth story. Year-on-year (YoY) returns for 2023 and 2024 have been in positive territory, with the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) and S&P SL20 providing returns of 25.50% and 16.42%, respectively, in 2023, and the ASPI by 49.66% and the S&P SL20 by 58.46% in 2024. The trend in indices have continued into 2025, with both indices in positive range with significant improvement in market volumes and turnover – particularly over the last two years. In 2024, the market also recorded a positive net inflow of $ 66.5 million, alongside the highest capital raised in a single year reaching $ 568.61 million.

The stability and success achieved on the economic front, coupled with the political stability in the country, has reinforced investor confidence. This administration’s commitment to reducing State expenditure, advancing external debt restructuring, and adhering to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reform program amidst currency stability and a low-interest rate environment has bolstered Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and stock market growth.

The conclusion of Sri Lanka’s international debt restructuring has improved the sovereign credit rating, reducing default risk and enhancing confidence in new issuances. Furthermore, with a market P/E of 8.7x, the Sri Lankan stock market stands out as an attractive option relative to more expensive peer markets. Against the backdrop of significant reforms and positive economic developments, the Sri Lankan capital market is conducive to attracting investment and creating opportunities for institutional investors and fund managers globally.

Participants at the ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ Forum will gain access to a series of sessions offering in-depth insights into Sri Lanka’s capital markets, economic outlook, and investment opportunities, including access to engage with Sri Lanka’s top corporates. These sessions will highlight the resilience and potential of the market, showcasing recent policy reforms, improved infrastructure, and a robust ecosystem that supports sustainable investment.

The Platinum sponsors for ‘Invest Sri Lanka 2025’ are HNB Investment Bank and Asia Securities.

Capital TRUST Holdings Ltd., Bartleet Religare Securities Ltd., CT CLSA Securities Ltd., Asha Securities Ltd., First Guardian Equities Ltd., Softlogic Stockbrokers Ltd., and LOLC Securities Ltd. have come on board as the Silver sponsors. 

Event partners are Singapore Sri Lanka Business Association, CFA Society Sri Lanka, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Sri Lanka, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.