April 2, 2024
Picture1-LBN.jpg

3min

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) conducted an Investor Forum held in Dambulla on the 27th of March at the Hotel Sannasa – Dambulla.

The forum was organized with the objective of raising awareness on the importance of investor education with regard to the investment opportunities that exist in the Stock Market and investor protection. With the aim of educating the business community of the Dambulla district, the forum attracted over 60 participants, providing valuable insights to both potential and existing investors in the region.

 



 

The forum offered valuable insights, educating investors on how they are able to safeguard their interests. At the investor forum, Mr. Thusitha Meegahakumbura, Branch Manager of the CSE Kurunegala Branch, provided a basic knowledge of investments, encompassing the process of investing as well as the pros and cons of investing in the Stock Market.

Educating investors on the role of the SEC in the market, as well as diving into the intricacies of investor protection, SEC’s Manager of External Relations, Mr. Nimal Kumarasinghe, addressed the gathering.

Next, a session to create awareness on the CSE Mobile App was conducted by the Manager of the CSE Kandy Branch, Mr. Dhananjaya Abeysiriwardana. Furthermore, an analysis of the sectoral performance and market opportunities was presented by the Director Sales of Acuity Stockbrokers (Pvt) Ltd, Mr. Kapila Pathirage.

Conducting an Introduction to Unit Trust Investment, the Relationship Manager of NDB Wealth, Mr. Rukshan Peiris addressed to the attendees as well.

Bringing the forum to a close, an interactive panel discussion was held with the participation of Mr. Nimal Kumarasinghe, Mr. Thusitha Meegahakumbura, Mr. Kapila Pathirage as well as CSE’s SVP of Marketing, Mr. Niroshan Wijesundere, providing an opportunity for participants to clarify any doubts from the panelists. The participants were also given the opportunity to meet Investment Advisors from stock brokerage firms.

The SEC and CSE have planned more investor forums this year in locations such as Ambalantota, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Matara and Colombo, in order to create awareness about investor education and protection whilst highlighting the importance of financial literacy.

 



 


March 13, 2024
RTB-2024-1-LBN.jpg

7min

Colombo, Sri Lanka, March 13, 2024—For the ninth consecutive year, IFC partnered with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and global partners to ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality.’ Aligned with International Women’s Day, the annual global initiative promotes women’s participation in the economy for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Increasing women’s economic participation and achieving gender parity in leadership are two key levers to address broader gender gaps in households, societies and economies. In Sri Lanka, IFC’s research has highlighted that the top 30 CSE-listed companies with higher gender diversity perform better financially, including return on equity, return on total assets, and price to earnings ratio.

 



 

Despite the clear business case for more women in leadership, there has been a concerning decrease in the share of women board directors in CSE-listed boards, dropping from 10.1 percent in 2023 to 8.7 percent in 2024. While women have made notable strides in breaking through the glass ceiling in recent years, this setback raises questions about the commitment to diversity and inclusion in corporate leadership.

“Investing in women has evolved from being the right thing to do to being the smart thing to do. Studies show that an organization’s success increases by as much as 34 percent if you have a more diverse team. Corporates need to understand the value of diversity and the wealth of results that can be generated from it,” said Dilshan Wirasekara, Chairman of the CSE. “I am proud to say that the CSE has excellent gender representation in our workforce, with over 47 percent of women in our staff cadre. We see that representation translating into a strong presence of women on a leadership level, comprising 44 percent.”

In an encouraging move, 13 Sri Lankan companies pledged last year to boost female representation at the board level and in management to a minimum of 20 percent by 2025. These businesses are taking intentional measures to strengthen their female talent pipeline and embed gender-inclusive policies that withstand economic uncertainties and contribute to long-term sustainability.

IFC is committed to promoting gender equality and has a strong focus on expanding access to finance for female entrepreneurs and increasing the number of women in leadership roles.

“Addressing barriers to women’s advancement in boards and leadership positions require collective, coordinated, and bold action by both private and public sector to accelerate progress towards gender parity, ignite renewed growth and greater resilience,” said Alejandro Alvarez de la Campa, IFC Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives. “We know that integrating women into business operations can increase companies’ profitability and contribute significantly to shared prosperity. So, let’s recommit to mobilize the economic power of women – as employees, as entrepreneurs, and as leaders – for a better future for all.”

IFC Women on Boards and Business Leadership program has been an active champion for corporate women leaders in Sri Lanka, creating market awareness on the business case for gender equality, capacitating partners to support professional women’s career development, and providing market level technical expertise, including facilitating the launch of the Sri Lanka chapter of the global group, Women Corporate Directors.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme of Investing in Women, Accelerating Progress is a clear call to action. Stock exchanges can help improve transparency and disclosure of gender-related data, promote access to finance, and encourage women to invest in public markets. Exchanges can also help develop new products, such as sustainability-linked bonds with gender criteria, and adopt gender equality listing criteria.

“Women’s contributions will be instrumental in reviving our economy. Women being the dominant earners of foreign exchange in our country, contributing significantly to sectors such as apparel, tea, and remittances, their equal representation in corporate leadership is long overdue,” said Ayodhya Iddawela Perera, Managing Director of Sampath Bank. “As we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead, let us remember that when women succeed, we all succeed.”

Reiterating the urgent need to increase women’s corporate leadership, a panel discussion on the business case for gender diversity on boards was also organized as part of the event. Panelists include Chinthaka Mendis, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka; Dilshan Wirasekara, Chairman of Colombo Stock Exchange; Aroshi Nanayakkara, Chairperson of Sri Lanka Institute of Directors; and Thamali Rodrigo, Co-Chairperson of Women’s Chapter of Directors, Sri Lankan Chapter, moderated by Aarthy Arunasalam, Country Lead Gender and Economic Inclusion Department at IFC.

The Ring the Bell for Gender Equality Initiative – a global partnership that includes IFC, United Nations Global Compact, UN SSE, UN Women, and The World Federation of Exchanges – advocates for the full and equal participation of all people to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

 



 


February 21, 2024
Image-SEC-and-CSE-host-the-1st-Investor-Forum-for-the-year-in-Vavuniya.-1280x612.jpg

2min

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) in collaboration with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) conducted the first Investor Forum for the year 2024 on the 17th of February at the Hotel Oviya – Vavuniya.

The forum was organized with the objective of raising awareness on the importance of investor education and investor protection. It attracted over 130 participants, which included both existing and potential investors, providing valuable insights.

 



 

Mr. Shanmukananthan Sabananthan, the Branch Manager of the CSE Jaffna Branch, delivered a basic introduction to investing at CSE, including the process of investing as well as the pros and cons of investing in the Stock Market. A session to create awareness on the CSE Mobile App was conducted by Mr. Nathuram Sivarajah from the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Furthermore, an analysis on the Sectoral Performance & Market Opportunities was presented by Mr. Arumainayagam Visaahan, Research Analyst, Asha Securities Ltd.

A panel discussion was held with the participation of Mr. Sabananthan, Mr. Visaahan, and Mr. Imran Ahamed, Senior Assistant Manager of External Relations, SEC, providing an opportunity for participants to clarify any doubts from the panelists.

The participants were also given the opportunity to meet Investment Advisors from stock brokerage firms.

The SEC and CSE have planned more investor forums this year in locations such as Dambulla, Nuwara Eliya, Ambalantota, Ratnapura, Gampaha, Matara and Colombo, in order to create awareness about investor education and protection whilst highlighting the importance of financial literacy.

 



 


February 21, 2024
Image-The-Colombo-Stock-Exchange-Launches-version3-of-its-Business-Intelligence-Dashboard-CSE-Market-IQ-MIQ.jpg

3min

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recently launched the 3rd version of its internal business intelligence dashboard coined the CSE ‘Market IQ’ (MIQ). This advanced version of the business intelligence dashboard, which was specifically designed to convert analysed data into insights for the convenience of internal stakeholders, is a major step into the future of market analysis and reporting.

 



 

As the operator of the Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka, the CSE is statutorily mandated to operate an orderly and efficient securities market. The CSE’s ‘Market IQ’ aims to further facilitate this mandate by integrating key information into a single platform that can be accessed easily, facilitating accuracy and efficiency.

The advanced level of this dashboard further elevates the effectiveness of managerial decision-making by providing a seamless understanding of investors’ trading behaviour, paving the way for strategic decisions aligned with investor needs.

With the launch of the new market IQ version3 the CSE’s branch network will be empowered. This strategic move ensures that each branch can better serve its respective target groups, efficaciously.

The dashboard encompasses several crucial categories, providing a daily market overview, market performance, turnover profile, historical report, investor profile, listing profile, global markets, and statistics summary.

This CSE Market IQ (MIQ) version3 will change the way internal stakeholders access and interpret market data. The CSE hopes to elevate the level of the Business Intelligence Dashboard further in the near future and incrementally make continuous improvements in a manner that will facilitate further conclusive data analysis of the capital market.

 



 


February 19, 2024
MOU-with-SLIM-LBN.jpg

3min

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) recently to enhance collaborative efforts in advancing educational initiatives and professional development. This effort will ultimately provide students with the enhanced access and preparation necessary to recongise and capitalise on opportunities within the financial sector.

The objective of this MOU is to include a Capital Market Module for the Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing program and facilitate guest sessions in other courses of SLIM, designed and offered through the CSE Branches in collaboration with SLIM.

 



 

These Educational Courses will be co-branded by both SLIM and CSE, signifying the collaborative nature of this initiative. Additionally, the CSE will conduct the necessary Marketing activities at regional levels to attract students.

Commenting on the partnership, the CSE CEO, Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike, said, “Improving financial literacy will have a direct impact on financial markets. The lack of information and understanding is one of the reasons for hesitancy to enter the capital market. Partnerships like this will go a long way to strengthen that area ”

He further said, “We welcome this initiative because we see a lot of potential in working together, not only as it is mutually beneficial to both our institutions but also to the industries that we serve in as a whole.”

Thanking all parties that played a key role, for their invaluable contributions in making this MoU possible, Prof. Jayantha Dewasiri stated, “With this initiative, we have set our sights on further expanding our network. Our objective is not only to advance marketing but also to promote financial literacy and capital market modules throughout our programs offered across the CSE branch network.”

 



 


February 2, 2024
Image-CAL-5-Year-Optimum-fund-LBN.jpg

4min

The captioned units of the CAL Five Year Optimum Fund were officially listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) on 1st February 2024. Accordingly, 193,904,428 units of the fund were listed by way of an Introduction. This is the first unit listing in over a decade, warranting the occasion to be marked with a special Bell Ringing Ceremony.

 


 

The event was attended by Capital Alliance Investments, CEO, Mr. Gayan De Silva; Capital Alliance Partners, CEO, Mr. Nishok Goonasekera; Capital Alliance Investments, Assistant Vice President, Ms. Cheryl Pasker; CAL Group, Chief Risk Officer, Ms. Sharmali Perera; Capital Alliance Partners, Vice President, Mr. Praveen Kanagasabai and Capital Alliance Partners, Associate, Mr. Malik Jameel.

The CSE was represented at the event by its Chairman, Mr. Dilshan Wirasekara; Chief Regulatory Officer, Mr. Renuke Wijayawardhane, and the CSE Senior Management.

Delivering opening remarks, Chairman of the CSE, Mr. Dilshan Wirasekara, began by congratulating Capital Alliance Investments Ltd. and went on to say, “It is indeed a unique day today as we list the CAL Five Year Optimum Fund, the only active listed fixed income closed-end fund that is available in the Colombo Stock Exchange.”

Mr. Wirasekara further said, “The CSE has always wanted to encourage the Unit Trust industry because we believe that it is probably the best way to broaden the base of retail investors and an ideal vehicle for investors to enter the exchange. We’ve seen huge growth in the Unit Trust industry, and it’s heartening to know that new funds are coming to the forefront. I believe it will bode well for the industry as a whole.”

Thanking the CSE and the CAL Investment Banking team for their commitment to getting this fund listed, Mr. Gayan De Silva, CEO of Capital Alliance Investments, stated, “It is with great pride that I announce the listing of the CAL Five Year Optimum Fund. At CAL, our entire value system is built upon making sure we enhance the capital markets, and the listing today demonstrates our continuous commitment to be one of the most dynamic fund managers in Sri Lanka. We believe capital markets act as an intermediary in transferring wealth from financial markets to the real economy, and thereby pushing economies into prosperity.”

He further said, “In terms of trading, the investors of a closed-end fund will be able to buy and sell units based on the market price, similar to a stock. It is an amazing opportunity for investors to use this platform for better portfolio diversification. I also believe the launch of this fund will increase the product offerings of the CSE, thereby increasing market participation, which is critical for the development of our capital markets.”

The CAL Five Year Optimum Fund is a closed-end fixed income unit trust scheme with a life span of five (5) years approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC). Capital Alliance Investments Limited has been granted approval by the Commission to establish, manage, operate, and market the fund. The fund is set up by a Trust Deed dated June 07th 2023 entered between Capital Alliance Investments Limited and Hatton National Bank PLC as the trustee and custodian of the fund (the “Trust Deed”).


January 30, 2024
Room-to-Read-Podium-Image-LBN.jpg

9min

On behalf of the ‘International Day of Education’ which was celebrated on the 24th of January, Room to Read Sri Lanka partnered with the Colombo Stock Exchange to ring the opening bell for trading. Room to Read marks this occasion as it approaches a significant milestone of transforming the lives of 40 million children across the globe through quality education in 2024.

 




 

Room to Read is a global nonprofit organization which creates a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. It achieves this goal by helping children in historically low-income communities develop literacy skills and a habit of reading through its Literacy Program, and by supporting girls in secondary education with life skills and financial literacy via its Girls’ Education Program, as they build skills to succeed in school and negotiate key life decisions. It collaborates with governments and other partner organizations to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale.

Addressing the gathering, CSE’s Chairman, Dilshan Wirasekara mentioned that “We at CSE, believe that an increase in the level of financial literacy can contribute to the improvement of rationality in investment decision making which will ultimately contribute to the overall development of the economy. The Colombo Stock Exchange Education Academy was formed in this context, to institutionalize financial education in Sri Lanka.”

He went on to say, “We are proud to be one of the key institutions that drive financial education in Sri Lanka. Established in March 2023, CSE Education Academy has undertaken numerous successful initiatives in recent years and aims to continue advancing financial awareness among the general public with special attention to youth so that we may cultivate the minds of tomorrow’s investors.”

Keynote speaker Shevanthi Jayasuriya, Country Director of Room to Read Sri Lanka emphasized on how this year, Room to Read Sri Lanka will focus largely on scale up and system integration with the support of the Ministry of Education, beyond conducting their regular programs in under-resourced communities. Recently, Room to Read Sri Lanka renewed its MOU with the government, to continue their work together with the national and provincial ministries of education, to help children receive quality education.

As of last year, Room to Read has been at the forefront of modifying the existing primary grade curriculum with its Literacy Program, also known as the Reading Development Program in Sri Lanka, introducing the Early Grade Reading Assessment for grades 1, 2, and 3. This initiative aims to enhance literacy skills among young students and create a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

In her speech, Shevanthi also proudly announced the establishment of the National Consortium on Children’s Books in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka. This initiative brings together government and private sector leaders to set national standards for children’s books, ensuring a higher quality of reading materials for primary grade children across the country, while fostering the growth of the local publishing industry by providing essential training for young writers and illustrators.

Room to Read Sri Lanka is excited to expand its scope to the pre-school curriculum which started in 2023. This new venture involves comprehensive training programs for teachers, focusing on instilling a habit of reading in children even before they embark on their formal education.

The organization also discussed the ongoing success of its Girls’ Education Program, dedicated to equipping girls with essential life skills and financial literacy. This program is currently conducting formative research to extend mentoring support to the Ministry of Education’s psycho-social facilitation and counseling units, specifically catering to secondary education students in government schools. This strategic effort aims to enhance the holistic development of students. It is also in the forefront of progress, planning a global upgrade to its program by incorporating the vital subject of climate change. This forward-looking approach ensures that the next generation of young women is well-prepared to navigate the challenges posed by climate change.

Room to Read Sri Lanka’s Country Director, Shevanthi Jayasuriya, also spoke about Room to Read’s ‘She Creates Change,’ a multimedia storytelling initiative that amplifies the voices of girls worldwide. This comprehensive series, including animated and live-action films, books, and audio stories in collaboration with Rebel Girls publishers, centers around the transformative impact of Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program. Notably, the animation video depicting Dewmini’s story, a student from the Girls’ Education Program in Sri Lanka, received the esteemed Best Short Film for Children award at the Manchester Animation Festival in 2023.

Till now, Room to Read has worked in 21 countries globally. In Sri Lanka, Room to Read began its work in 2005 and has reached 1.8 million children through quality education.

As Room to Read continues its global mission, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has been working diligently in collaboration with several key stakeholders to enhance overall financial education in Sri Lanka.

To begin, CSE has forged partnerships with many financial professional bodies in Sri Lanka to cultivate financially literate professionals well-versed in current financial trends and developments.

Next, the CSE has focused their efforts on educating potential investors from a foundational level. For this purpose, two key areas that the CSE believe to be the most impactful have been targeted.

Firstly, for secondary school students, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) along with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Presidential Secretariat as well as the Education Ministry of Sri Lanka, have initiated the establishment of Capital Market Clubs in 100 selected schools across the island to foster a dynamic learning environment that bridges the gap between theoretical instruction and real-world application in the realm of capital markets.

Secondly, in terms of higher education beyond the school level, CSE has partnered with state universities by signing MOUs to expand opportunities for the youth. These collaborations aim to promote capital market education among undergraduates by offering various mutually beneficial strategic initiatives. The CSE is proud to provide practical educational training and internship opportunities for promising undergraduates engaged in accountancy and finance, business management, and economics-related degree programs.

Finally, the CSE conducts a number of investor forums for professionals, business communities, existing and potential investors, and other market participants while primarily focusing on the general public of various regions in Sri Lanka. These forums provide valuable insights on investor education and investor protection. The forums attract hundreds of participants who are given the opportunity to meet investment advisors from stock brokerage firms and representatives of unit trust management companies. In addition to this, the Colombo Stock Exchange has conducted numerous virtual workshops beyond the regional limitations with the intention of reaching a larger audience.

Quality education serves as the cornerstone for building a more prosperous and productive society. It acts as a catalyst, breaking the chains of generational illiteracy and gender inequality, fostering unity among individuals, communities, and nations. The unwavering commitment of CSE and Room to Read to these noble objectives remains steadfast.

 


January 26, 2024
image002.jpg

5min

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), in September 2023, released the updated Corporate Governance Regulations for entities listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The revisions come after nearly 15 years and apply to companies listed on the Main Board and Diri Savi Board, with a majority of the rules effective from 1 October 2023.

 



 

The updated regulations, in line with international best practices, seek to offer clear directives for implementing effective Board and management practices. High standards of Corporate Governance, together with accountability and transparency, are essential for bolstering investor trust in the capital markets. This framework also provides listed entities the opportunity to enhance investor confidence and attract much-needed investments. Furthermore, it also provides the opportunity for Sri Lankan capital markets to operate in line with other progressive capital markets globally.

Some of the main updates to the regulations include matters relating to criteria for ‘independence’ of directors and changes to the composition of Audit, Remuneration, and Related Party Transaction Committees. In addition, several new regulations were also introduced. Some of the key additions include the establishment of the Nomination and Governance Committee, the minimum number of board members and maximum age of a board director, segregation of the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the appointment of a Senior Independent Director in specific instances, and ‘Fit and Proper’ Assessment Criteria for directors and CEOs.

Furthermore, the regulations also stipulate that listed entities establish policies related to the internal code of business conduct and ethics for all directors and employees, relations with shareholders and investors, whistleblowing, and anti-bribery and corruption.

In formulating the rules, the SEC and CSE invited public consultations during the period from 2021 to 2023, to receive views from key participants of the capital markets. Post introduction, the regulators also conducted a number of awareness sessions for the listed companies in the banking sector, insurance sector, and several other sectors.

In its capacity as a leading professional body representing investment professionals in Sri Lanka, CFA Society Sri Lanka (CFASSL) has been a powerful voice on local advocacy issues such as the drafting of new regulations, corporate governance and setting standards of best practices.

President of CFASSL Aruna Perera, CFA noted: “The Society commends the SEC and the CSE for making the much-needed updates to the corporate governance regulations for listed entities. Since its inception, CFASSL has worked closely with the regulators, advocating for good governance, and was pleased to be a part of the public consultations providing recommendations on matters related to the independence of directors, maximum age of independent directors, and roles of CEO and Chairperson of the Board.”

Chairperson of the Advocacy Committee, CFASSL, Nadika Ranasinghe, CFA, commenting on the new regulations noted: “We welcome the updated Corporate Governance regulations by the SEC and commend the regulators on the positive direction being taken to position Sri Lankan capital markets in the global space. We look forward to seeing listed entities proactively adopting these regulations in a timely manner and working towards improving investor confidence. The Society will continue to advocate for stronger governance, assisting both the regulators and capital market participants to strive for good standards.”

CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. Founded in 2001, CFA Society Sri Lanka is a not-for-profit organisation supporting the professional development and advancement of CFA Charterholders and candidates in Sri Lanka. Its membership of over 275 members consists of CEOs, CFOs, portfolio managers, equity analysts, banking professionals, investment advisors and other senior-ranking financial practitioners, and over 300 candidates, mainly in the financial sector.


December 5, 2023
CSE-01-12-2023-59-LBN.jpg

5min

 



 

 

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), in collaboration with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), developed the 3rd version of the sustainability reporting guide, which was ceremonially launched today at the Market Opening Bell Ringing ceremony held at the trading floor of the CSE. The publication is now available at www.cse.lk.

Delivering the keynote address at this ceremony, Mr. Faizal Salieh, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC), emphasized that “Sustainability reporting and disclosure have become the fastest-growing non-financial reporting type over the past 10 years. About 96% of the largest 500 companies by market cap had published sustainability reports in 2022. And the figure is up from 86% in 2018. Many more companies have adopted sustainability reporting over the past two years.”

“One of the most widely recognized sustainability reporting standards is the GRI standard. The GRI standards are designed to help organizations respond to emerging information demands from stakeholders and regulators and are regularly reviewed to ensure they reflect global best practices on sustainability reporting. The benefits of sustainability reporting will help companies gain a foothold in the future economy, and it will lead to new and improved products, services, and business models. That, in turn, will attract more customers and improve the financial performance of companies.”

Mr. Dilshan Wirasekera, Chairman, Colombo Stock Exchange, speaking at the event, said, “As the Colombo Stock Exchange, we are proud to introduce the 3rd version of the guidance document aimed at fostering sustainability reporting among our listed companies. Embracing sustainability not only ensures responsible business practices but also drives long-term value creation. This initiative aligns with our commitment to cultivating a thriving, sustainable market that benefits all stakeholders—companies, investors, and the community alike.”

Dr. Aditi Haldar, Director, GRI South Asia, made her observations at the event and said, “Our latest guidance document for listed companies in Sri Lanka on communicating sustainability represents a significant evolution, seamlessly incorporating the perspectives and standards set by the Global Reporting Initiative. This comprehensive resource offers a panoramic overview of the sustainability reporting landscape and its fundamental principles. Beyond being an informative tool, it serves as a compelling catalyst, inspiring Sri Lankan companies to embark on their sustainability reporting journeys and encouraging others to enhance their existing practices.”

To coincide with the launch of the CSE Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, the CSE, in collaboration with GRI South Asia, also organized an informative knowledge session focused on Corporate Sustainability Reporting in Sri Lanka for the representatives of listed companies. This session aimed to provide an outline of the existing standards and valuable insights into the latest developments in standards, offering a comprehensive overview. The session,  facilitated by Mr. Rahul Singh, Manager at GRI South Asia, was designed not only for established GRI reporters but also to support preparers embarking on their sustainability reporting journeys.

Ms. Aruni Rajakarier, Founder and Director at SheConsults, led a detailed exploration of the recent survey on sustainability reporting in Sri Lanka at the workshop. Through an objective analysis of the country’s progress, Ms. Rajakarier shared key insights and recommendations derived from the survey.

Ms Nilupa Perera., Senior Vice President, Broker Supervision & Listed Entity Complianceof the Colombo Stock Exchange discussed  the  framework for listing of Green Bonds.

 



 

 


November 30, 2023
CA-TAGS-CSE-2023-LBN.jpg

3min

 



 

 

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) reaffirmed its steadfast support for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) by once again stepping into the role of Strategic Partner for the TAGS Awards for the ninth consecutive year. This enduring partnership is a testament to the CSE’s commitment to empowering the TAGS Awards and corporate reporting.

Formerly recognised as the Annual Report Awards, the TAGS Awards have undergone a transformation while retaining their illustrious legacy. Spanning over half a century, the awards in its 58th year takes center stage in recognising excellence in financial and non-financial reporting within entities in Sri Lanka.

 

The sponsorship was presented to the President of CA Sri Lanka Mr. Sanjaya Bandara, by the Director of the Colombo Stock Exchange Mr. Arjuna Herath, in the presence of CA Sri Lanka’s Vice President, Mr. Heshana Kuruppu, Chairman of the TAGS Awards Committee Mr. Thivanka Jayasinghe, Alternate Chair of the TAGS Awards Committee Ms. Chamila Cooray and Chief Executive Officer of CSE Mr. Rajeeva Bandaranaike.

In its forthcoming edition, the TAGS Awards 2023 will commend top-performing organisations in Sri Lanka, ranging from multinationals to conglomerates and SMEs. The awards will acknowledge their dedication to transparency, accountability, governance, and sustainability through the publication of insightful and comprehensive Annual Reports.

The grand finale of the TAGS Awards 2023 will be held on 12th December 2023 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo with the participation of representatives from the esteemed business and professional community.

 




 

 



About us

Lanka Business News is amongst the leading online Business News portals in Sri Lanka, unique for its focus on contemporary business news relevant across multiple industries operating in the country. We present not only the news, but a perspective based on observations and possible implications of a prevailing news item. LBN also provides an insight to the impact of a global economic or industrial development, thus helping stakeholders make informed and calculated decisions.




Follow Us


Newsletter