The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) this week launched an ambitious 10-year roadmap designed to transform the country’s capital market into a resilient, innovative, and globally competitive hub.
The plan, themed “12 Pillars, One Vision for a Resilient Market”, sets out a series of structural reforms and product innovations aimed at revitalising the economy, boosting investor confidence, and mobilising long-term capital for development.
Unveiling the initiative, SEC Chairman Prof. Hareendra Dissabandara said the strategy would revolve around twelve developmental and regulatory priorities. “Our ultimate goal is to build a dynamic and resilient market that fosters stability while ensuring sustainable prosperity for generations to come,” he said.
Prof. Dissabandara noted that the reforms will focus on three broad outcomes: driving continuous innovation to keep the market relevant and responsive; upgrading infrastructure and services to be more efficient and accessible; and cultivating a diverse, competitive ecosystem that enhances market resilience.
Endorsing the SEC’s vision, Labour Minister and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando described quality capital formation as “critical” for Sri Lanka’s future growth.
“The next take-off is nothing but investment. Without investment, we can’t expect growth,” he told the launch audience. Stressing the stock market’s role as a national platform for development, he added: “Scattered, insignificant capital cannot make a big push for the economy. We need to pull it together, and the stock market is the platform for that.”
Calling capital market participation a “public duty,” Dr. Fernando urged regulators and industry players to lower entry barriers and attract grassroots savers to strengthen liquidity. “If you want robust capital formation and exponential growth, we need to bring them together and close the gaps,” he said.
At the heart of the SEC’s roadmap are twelve reform projects targeting infrastructure, product diversity, regulation, and investor engagement.
One of the most significant changes will be the demutualisation of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), converting it from a member-owned institution into a company limited by shares to improve governance and operational efficiency.
Another milestone is the Central Counterparty (CCP) system, which became operational in August 2025, providing guaranteed trade settlements and reducing counterparty risk.
