How to Invest in Unit Trusts - Introduction to Sri Lankan Unit Trust Industry

09th May 20111, www.dailymirror.lk

Unit Trusts were introduced to Sri Lanka in 1991 to provide an alternate investment for the people of Sri Lanka to benefit from the capital market.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) as the licensing authority has the power to permit a Fund Management Company referred as Fund Manager to launch a unit trust under the SEC Act.

In real life, the Fund Manager has to formulate a fund with an objective in mind before seeking an approval from the SEC. The objective of a fund can be for example growth, income and growth or income only and the strategy to achieve the objective needs to be worked out by the Fund Manager to deliver results with in the expected time frame. As the investments of the fund are focused on the specific financial instruments, the fund management company also needs to select authorised investments to suit the type of objective of a fund.

The Fund Manager needs to submit an Explanatory Memorandum (EM) and a Trust Deed to obtain the license from the SEC to launch and operate the Fund. The EM provides necessary information about the Fund offer, the Fund Manager, Trustee and other relevant investor information. The Trust Deed gives details of the formation of the trust and its deposited property, registration process of the investors, dividend distribution, areas of intended investment of the Fund’s assets, appointment of auditors, covenants of the Manager and the Trustee, procedure for a unit holder meeting etc. The Trustee usually a reputed bank and provides services and acts as the beneficial owner on behalf of the investors in the fund.

There are six fund management companies operating in Sri Lanka and more are expected to be licensed. Further there are 22 funds operating in the market managed by the six Fund Managers. Now let us look the advantages for small investors to invest through a unit trust.

Growth Funds
We assume you are an investor who wanted to invest in a Growth Fund to participate in the shares listed in the Colombo Sock Exchange.

Growth Fund is a fund primarily invests in shares to achieve long term growth of capital to the investors.

There are over 240 companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange and it is practically difficult for small investors to research and identify good stocks with reasonable valuations. It makes it more difficult to monitor the performance of stocks they buy and hold for longer term. The unit trust managers make it easy for the investors as they undertake the selection of shares and monitor the performance of the underlying companies over time. In addition the Managers also provide other services to the investors to make investment in shares a hassle free affair in the day to day life. The investors enjoy a host of benefits by investing through a unit trust.

They are:
• Expert professional fund management at lower cost
• Diversification of your investment in many shares ( Do not put all your eggs in one basket)
• Low minimum investment level
• Excellent long term prospect
• Protection by independent Trustees
• Easy to buy and sell or transfer
• Invest jointly with minors
• Choice of investments and transferability among funds
• Tax free income

How to invest in Unit Trust?
There are many unit trusts available in Sri Lanka and investors can contact the Fund Management Company and obtain an Explanatory Memorandum and an application form to open an account and to make an initial investment. Consider charges and the performance of different unit trusts and their track records.

Shares and equity unit trusts can fall as well as rise, so you should aim to hold for at least five years.

Consider how much you can afford to invest and how often. It is prudent to keep some money in bank and short term fixed income instruments for unexpected emergencies.

You can usually choose to make your payments by cheque, direct credit to the designated bank accounts, standing order or any other means recommended by the Fund Manager.

Regularly check the statement or reports from the Fund Manager to track the progress of your investment. You can also follow the daily prices of your units in the news papers or visit the website of the Fund Manager.

When you need any help or clarification you can contact the Registrar or relevant officer who will offer advice on their range of trusts.

Solving financial planning needs
You can redeem your units on any business day and receive the proceeds within short periods. However, unit trusts works best for you as a long term investment rather than a short term punt.

You can switch between different types of funds – for example from high to low risk, or growth to income etc.

You can build up savings by re investing dividends and through regular savings.

Types of Unit Trusts
There are different types of Unit Trusts available in the market. Let’s see some of them:

• Growth Funds: Growth Funds are higher risk funds offer higher return prospects to the investor. These funds invest higher proportion of its money in listed shares. There are many Growth Funds operating in the fund. Some of the funds distribute dividends and others do not.

• Balanced Funds: Balanced Funds are moderate risk funds offer dividend and growth prospects to he investors. These funds invest around 50-60% of its money in listed shares and the balance in selected fixed income securities. These funds often distribute dividends annually based on the fund performance.

• Income Funds: Income Funds are low to moderate risk funds depending on the short to long term investments in debt instruments and allocation between government and corporate debt instruments. This fund pays annual or even quarterly or half yearly dividends. Often it is classified as an income fund with less prospects to grow. However at times of volatile interest rate environment these fund can offer growth prospects as well.

• Index Funds: Index Funds are more passive form of fund and tracks an accepted index. With negligible tracking error, these funds can offer higher upside when the underlying index rises.

There are many other specialized unit trusts, operating specializing in sectors such as money market, Sharia compliant Islamic and sub sectors of the stock market.

Related Info :

• Market Indicators of Unit Trust Funds - The Unit Trust Association of Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka Unit Trusts Manage Rs22bn in Assets. Public Awareness a Must for Participation in the Economic Growth

• Sri Lanka Unit Trusts Attract Rs1.5bn New Funds in First Ten Months of 2010
• IPOs on CSE Must Allocate 40pct Shares to Retail Investors, Sri Lanka's Markets Regulator Decides. 10pct Offer to be Made to Unit Trust Funds

• Sri Lanka’s First Unit Trust Company NAMAL Leverages Market Position with Backing from Union Bank
• Ceylon Tourism Fund to Benefit by Sector Boom. Banking & Tourism to Top Colombo Stock Exchange in 2011

• Saudi Arabian Heraymila Investments of Al Mashal's Start a Fund to Invest in Listed Sri Lankan Companies

Why Invest in Sri Lankan Tourism Industry - Sri Lanka, the Gateway to Asian Tourism highway

Tourism is the Fastest Growing Industry in Sri Lanka

• Tourist arrivals are picking up. For the last nine months ended in September 2010, tourist arrivals are up almost 50 percent year-on-year.
• Tourism earnings too have kept pace with a 69 percent growth.
• The Hotel and Travel Index of Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) increased by 199% in 2009.
• Room capacity has be increased immediately in order to cater to increasing tourist arrivals. Sri Lanka has only 15,000 rooms at present. 13,000 rooms will have to be build within the next 2-3 years.

Sri Lanka, the Tourist Destination

Sri Lanka has always been a tourist destination. Due to its unique location in the Silk Route in the past Sri Lanka attracted many merchants and explorers. Strategically located at the cross road of both east and west, Sri Lanka continues to serve as an easy point of entry to South Asia and ideal destination to transit and visit. Its uniqueness and size earned it the name 'Taprobane' and 'The Pearl of the Indian Ocean'. Its diversity is great even as its size is small in comparison to neighbouring countries.

This Small Miracle offers leisure and business travellers a spectrum of attractions. The sandy white beaches and attractive underwater life that surrounds the Island give visitors a chance to unwind and relax in a warm and comfortable setting. The beautiful rain forests, mountain ranges and scenic plantations can be visited within a few hours (approx. 4-5 hours travel time), and visitors can also visit the wildlife sanctuaries. Its commercial cities offer many an investment opportunity to the business traveller.

Why Invest in Sri Lanka Tourism

Now Sri Lanka is a nation at peace with the end of long terrorist war in the North of the country. A stable political climate prevailing now in the country will help Sri Lanka to develop into a major Global Logistics Hub in the South Asian region for trade, investment, communications, and financial services.

Sri Lanka offers,

• Strategic access to the Indian market.
• A highly literate and cost competitive labour force.
• Attractive and transparent laws.
• Sri Lanka’s open economy is ranked as the most liberalised economy in South Asia.

Investors enjoy a range of facilities and incentives that include,

• Preferential tax rates coupled with tax holidays.
• Exemptions from exchange control.
• 100% repatriation of profits.
• Constitutional guarantees on investment.

The Sri Lankan government together with the Sri Lanka Tourism (SLT) are committed to the development and growth of the local Tourism industry. SLTDA one stop shop helps investors to obtain all necessary approvals to speed up construction without hindrance.

The country’s Board of Investment (BOI) offer potential foreign investors lucrative incentives to start up tourism establishments.

The Government’s vision of making Sri Lanka the foremost leisure destination in the South Asian Region has following key objectives:-

• Achieve 2 million tourist arrivals by 2016.
• Target up scale Free Independent Travellers (FITS), who are comparatively high spenders.
• Make tourism Sri Lanka’s third largest foreign exchange earner.
• Transform tourism to be the fastest job creator and help reduce unemployment numbers.

How We Can Help You

InvestSriLanka represents a firm of professionals that shares a common goal of taking Sri Lanka forward by bringing in quality investments in Leisure, Finance, Construction, Agriculture, Alternative Energy and Education.

We welcome your proposals. Alternatively, we are happy to provide you a host of information on current projects and proposals in several spheres of investment. We should be happy to work with you from the concept to construction to commissioning of your special project. Our multi-disciplinary firm of professionals is prepared to offer its services at whatever level of expertise called for. In fact, we would be proud to.

Let us start our exchange of ideas now. Please Contact: investsrilanka@gmail.com

See Also:

• Sri Lanka Tourist Arrivals and Statistics

• One Stop Unit for Investment in Tourism and Step by Step Guide

• Important Tourism Related Websites and Contact Numbers

• Sri Lanka Offers Special Visas to Investors, Professionals & Senior Citizens• Investment Accounts (SIA) Replace SIERA & TIERA Accounts - For Investment in Sri Lankan Equity, Debt and Unit TrustsAccounts

How to Invest in SFIDA Sri Lankan Bank Accounts for Higher, Tax Free Returns

Special Foreign Investment Deposit Accounts - SFIDA

Now foreign citizens/institutions and Sri Lankans resident overseas can invest in Sri Lanka and earn best returns on your foreign currency with a Special Foreign Investment Deposit Account, SFIDA.

You have the option of maintaining your SFIDA account in a designated foreign currency and earn a higher interest than what you could earn in most other Financial Centres, or maintaining your SFIDA account in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) and get a much higher return of app. 8 to 10pct.

All SFIDA accounts are exempted from Income Tax, Withholding Tax, Debit Tax and other levies. At maturity, your capital and interest can be converted to any of the designated currencies of your choice at the prevailing exchange rate and repatriated without any exchange control restrictions.

SFIDA accounts range from one month to 12 months, and the interest rate applicable will vary depending on the prevailing market rate.

Eligible Investors to Open an SFIDA Account
• Citizens of foreign states
• Sri Lanka citizens resident outside Sri Lanka
• Corporate bodies incorporated outside Sri Lanka
• Foreign institutional investors (eg. Country funds, mutual funds, regional funds)
• Note: Joint accounts held by two or more eligible investors are also allowed

Type of SFIDA Accounts
• Savings Deposits in designated Foreign Currencies or in Sri Lankan Rupees
• Time Deposits in designated Foreign Currencies or in Sri Lankan Rupees

Permitted Currencies
Investment can be maintained in a Sri Lanka Rupee account or a foreign currency account (US Dollar, Sterling Pound, Euro, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Japanese Yen, Swedish Kronar, Swiss Francs or any other type of designated foreign currency).

Minimum Investment and Minimum Account Balance
US$ 10,000/= or its equivalent in any of the designated foreign currencies or equivalent amount of Sri Lanka Rupees.

Tax Exemption
All SFIDA accounts are exempted from Income Tax, Withholding Tax, Debit Tax and other levies.

Rate of Interest - General Guidelines
• For Sri Lanka Rupee accounts prevalent interest rates stipulated in the Treasury Notice.
• For foreign currency deposits prevalent interest rates applicable to NRFC accounts of the relevant bank.
• Note: For larger deposits, interest rates could generally be negotiated.

Permitted Credits
• Proceeds of inward remittances received from abroad through banking system.
• Foreign currency in the form of travellers' cheques, bank drafts or bank notes brought in to the country by the account holder on the declaration to Sri Lanka customs as applicable during his temporary visits to Sri Lanka and tendered in person to the Authorised Dealer, provided that the travellers' cheques have been issued outside Sri Lanka and the bank drafts endorsed in the name of the account holder.
• Interest accruing on the funds held in the account.

Permitted Debits
• Outward remittances
• Transfers to other SFIDA accounts
• Disbursements of the account holder in Sri Lanka
• Relevant statutory payments such as debit tax

Additional Information
• Sri Lankan Banks offering SFIDA Accounts
• Commercial Bank, Sri Lanka offers SFIDA Accounts for Foreign and Sri Lankan Investors

Related Info :
• Securities Investment Accounts (SIA) Replace SIERA & TIERA Accounts - For Investment in Sri Lankan Equity, Debt and Unit Trusts
• Sri Lanka Offers Special Visas to Investors, Professionals & Senior Citizens

How to Invest in Sri Lanka Government Securities - Treasury Bills and Bonds

Sri Lanka Treasury Bills and Bonds attract foreign investors for a number of reasons. Prime among them are the stability of the booming economy of Sri Lanka and the higher interest rates offered on these government debt instruments compared to similar securities from other countries especially US and Europe. Sri Lanka Treasury Bills and Bonds are Tax Free as withholding tax is charged at source. Pl See: Current Rates on Treasury Bills and Bonds - Central Bank of Sri Lanka 

What is a Treasury Bill?
Treasury bill is a short term debt instrument of 3, 6 or 12 Months issued by the Government of Sri Lanka. Treasury Bills are discounted instruments - the investor pays the discounted value (investment value) and receives the face value on maturity. Government issues Treasury Bills through weekly auctions and interest is decided based on the bids received.

What is a Treasury Bond?
Treasury Bond is a medium to long term debt instrument of 2 to 20 Years issued by the Government of Sri Lanka. Treasury Bond carries a coupon (interest) which is paid on a half yearly basis, and the principal is repaid on maturity.

What is Sri Lanka Development Bond?
Sri Lanka Development Bonds (SLDBs) are a debt instrument denominated in US Dollars issued by the Government of Sri Lanka. Interest is paid to the holder every six months and the principal repayment is made at the end of the maturity period. Calculation of interest payments will be based on the six month London Inter Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) for USD per annum plus a margin determined through competitive bidding at the auction.

Who Issues Treasury Bills/Bonds?
As an Agent of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Public Debt Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issues the Treasury bills and Treasury Bonds, and in the case of Treasury Bills repays maturity proceeds on maturity, and for Trasury Bonds pays interest on due dates and repays the principal on maturity.

Types of Government Securities
• Rupee Denominated Securitie
• Treasury Bills : Available to foreign investors, Sri Lankan diaspora living/working abroad and Sri Lankan citizens.
• Treasury Bonds : Available to foreign investors, Sri Lankan diaspora living/working abroad and Sri Lankan citizens.
• Inflation-linked Bonds : Available only to Sri Lankan citizens.
• Foreign Currency Denominated Securities
• Sri Lanka Development Bonds : Available to foreign investors, Sri Lankan diaspora living/working abroad and Specified Companies.

How to Invest in Government Securities?
Investors can purchase Treasury Bills/Bonds either from auctions in the primary market through a designated Primary Dealer (PDs) on specified dates, or from the secondary market through Primary Dealers, Commercial Banks or the Joint Lead Managers in the case of Sri Lankan Diaspora business on any week day.

Can I Invest in Treasury Bills/Bonds?
Yes, if you are one of the following,
a) Foreign institutional investors such as foreign country funds, mutual funds and regional funds.
b) Corporate bodies incorporated outside Sri Lanka.
c) Citizens of foreign states.

What are the Main Features of Treasury Bills?
• Risk free, gilt edged debt instrument
• Short term debt instrument (3 to 12 months)
• Maturity proceeds (Face value) will be paid on maturity
• Yield rates are determined by the market
• Tradable instrument in the secondary market
• Issued in scripless form

What are the Main Features of Treasury Bonds?
• Risk free, gilt edged debt instrument
• Maturities are available with 2-20 years
• It carries half yearly coupon payments and the principal is repaid on maturity
• Yield rates are determined by the market
• Tradable instrument in the secondary market
• Issued in scripless form

What Benefits Can I Derive by Investing in Treasury Bills/Bonds?
• It is an absolutely risk free investment, since it is issued by the sovereign government. Hence, they are called gilt-edged securities meaning that they are covered by gold.
• You can get the highest rate of interest since the yield rates are determined in the market.
• Since these bills/bonds are tradable in the secondary market, you can obtain instant liquidity by selling them in the market.
• All receipts of interest, maturity proceeds and capital gains are fully repatriable.
• You could also have a joint investment with some other person or persons. Hence, it is a very good way to share your investments with loved persons.
• You are not subject to further taxation, since a withholding tax of 10 percent is charged at source is the final tax.
• No stamp duty is payable on these bills/bonds.
• You can get the best service from the CBSL which maintains your investment in its state of the art, Scripless Security Settlement System and the fully automated Central Depository System (CDS).

What is the Availability of Treasury Bills/Bonds to a Foreign Investor?
• Foreign investors can purchase up to 10% of the total outstanding Treasury Bills or Bonds at any given time.

According to Central Bank data foreign investors held Rs 212 billion of bonds up from Rs 199 billion on January 04 2012. Treasury bills holdings rose to Rs 84.5 billion from Rs 70.1 billion in the same period there amid periodic changes.

How Can I Apply for Treasury Bills?
• You can purchase Treasury bills at any time through Primary Dealers (PDs) or Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) registered with the CBSL. PDs are the institutions appointed by the CBSL for trading in Government securities. Contact details of these institutions are given below.
• You can purchase Treasury bills by sending bids to the primary auctions through PDs or through direct placements.
• In order to make arrangement for fund transfers, you can advise your own bank to open a Rupee account named “Treasury bill Investment External Rupee Account - 2 (TIERA - 2)” in an LCB in Sri Lanka. (Note: Securities Investment Accounts (SIA) replace TIERA-2).
• After completing the transaction, your agent (LCB/PD) will open a security account for you in the CDS maintained by the CBSL. This account is debited /credited simultaneously based on your tradings in the market.

How Can I Apply for Treasury Bonds?
• You can purchase Treasury bonds at any time through Primary Dealers (PDs) or Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) registered with the CBSL. PDs are the institutions appointed by the CBSL for trading in Government securities. Contact details of these institutions are given below.
• You can purchase Treasury bonds from the secondary market or you can even send bids to the primary auctions through PDs.
• In order to make arrangement for fund transfers, you can advise your own bank to open a Rupee account named “Treasury bond Investment External Rupee Account (TIERA)” in an LCB in Sri Lanka. (Note: Securities Investment Accounts (SIA) replace TIERA).
• After completing the transaction, your agent (LCB/PD) will open a security account for you in the CDS maintained by the CBSL. This account is debited /credited simultaneously based on your tradings in the market.

What is Primary Market?
• Information on auctions for Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds are normally announced in the leading newspapers at least two days prior to the auction date.
• Treasury Bond series available for foreigners are announced by the Public Debt Department via e-mail to all participants in the Central Depositary System.
• In the case of Treasury Bills, newspaper advertisements are published on every Monday and the auctions are held on Wednesdays. Bids are accepted through the fully automated online bidding system.
• Treasury Bills are issued weekly, while 3-4 Treasury Bond auctions are held every month based on the Government's cash requirement.
• All investors who are willing to participate in primary auctions should submit their bids through Primary Dealers before 11 a.m. on the auction date which is the Primary Dealer's deadline for submission of bids to auction. The successful bidders are informed within two hours of the deadline for the submission of bids. Press releases are published in leading newspapers on the following day.
• Settlement of successful bids in the primary market is on two business days after the auction date (T+2). Sri Lanka Government debt securities are scripless and therefore securities transfers take place on an electronic basis. Settlement is via the electronic payment system and the Real Time Gross Settlement System on a delivery vs. payment basis.
• Investors are required to maintain accounts with Commercial Banks or Primary Dealers for cash settlement for their transactions as well as for the crediting of coupon payments. Ownership of securities is recorded in the Central Depository System maintained by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

What is Secondary Market?
• An investor can either hold a tradable security until maturity or sell in the secondary market prior to maturity at the current market price.
• Investors can also buy tradable securities already issued to the market by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
• Primary Dealers/Commercial Banks quote buying and selling prices of Treasury Bills, Treasury Bonds daily for different maturities. Investors can shop around and bargain to obtain attractive market rates for these securities.
• Sri Lankan Government debt securities are scripless and the securities transfer is done on an electronic basis. In the Scripless Securities Settlement System (SSSS) transfer instructions are carried out on a trade-by-trade basis, with the transfer of securities and the transfer of funds for payment taking place simultaneously.

Who are Primary Dealers?
Primary Dealers are institutions appointed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for marketing government securities in the secondary market. Primary Dealers are also responsible for supporting the primary auction and are the major participants in the competitive bidding process. Primary Dealers are required to provide liquidity in the secondary market by quoting bid and offer yields for government securities.

How Can I Collect Maturity Proceeds?
• Interest (for Treasury Bonds) and Maturity proceeds (for both Treasury Bills and Bonds) relating to Treasury Bills/Bonds are credited on due dates directly to your account through your agent. The participants of the CDS are responsible to pay dues to you on due dates.

How do I Get More Information on Treasury Bills/Bonds?
• Details on available Treasury Bills and prevailing market rates can be obtained from LCBs, PDs and CBSL Website (www.cbsl.gov.lk)
• Details on current auctions can be obtained from PDs and LCBs.
• Any detail on this scheme can be obtained from the Public Debt Department of the CBSL.
Telephone: 94 11 2 477277 /212 /274//276 /278/316
Fax: 94 11 2477718/719/759
e-mail: pddrbw@cbsl.lk

List of Participating Agents - Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs) and Primary Dealers (PDs)
• List of Licensed Commercial Banks (LCBs)
• List of Primary Dealers (PDs)

Market Information - Primary Market
• Last Treasury Bill Auction (Press Release)
• Last Treasury Bond Auction (Press Release)
• Treasury Bill Auction Historical Data (1996-2009)
• Treasury Bond Auction Historical Data (1997-2009)

Market Information - Secondary Market
• Two Way Quotes and Market Rates for Treasury Bills and Bonds. Please see latest Weekly Economic Indicators.

Additional Information on Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds
• Available Treasury Bond Series
• Sri Lanka Development Bonds - Latest Issue
• Outstanding Government Debt Stock - Monthly Economic Indicators
• ‘LankaSecure’ - Scripless Securities Settlement System (SSSS) and CDS
• Exchange Rates

• Treasury Bills for Foreign Investors
• Treasury Bonds for Foreign Investors
• Treasury Bills and Bonds for Sri Lankan Diaspora

Related Info :
• Securities Investment Accounts (SIA) Replace SIERA & TIERA Accounts - For Investment in Sri Lankan Equity, Debt and Unit Trusts
• Sri Lanka Offers Special Visas to Investors, Professionals & Senior Citizens

How to Invest in Sri Lanka Equity Market - Colombo Stock Exchange, the Best Performing Capital Market of the World

HOW TO INVEST IN COLOMBO STOCK EXCHANGE (CSE)
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) became the best performing capital market in the world recording a growth of 111.14 percent. All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the CSE and Milanka Price Index (MPI) both have crossed 7,000 milestone creating history. (2nd October 2010).

Institutions incorporated outside Sri Lanka and individuals resident outside Sri Lanka inclusive of Sri Lankan residents out side Sri Lanka are permitted to buy and/or sell shares in a listed company of Colombo Stock Exchange up to 100% of the issued capital of such company.

PROCEDURE FOR INVESTMENT AND REPATRIATION OF PROCEEDS FOR NON RESIDENTS
Investment in shares in Sri Lanka and repatriation of proceeds should take place through Share Investment External Rupee Accounts (SIERA) opened with licensed commercial banks, which are appointed as Authorized Dealers in foreign exchange under the Exchange Control Act.

Individuals resident outside Sri Lanka (inclusive of Sri Lankans resident outside Sri Lanka), approved regional funds, approved country funds as well as corporate bodies incorporated outside Sri Lanka are permitted to open SIERA accounts. (Note: Securities Investment Accounts (SIA) replace SIERA).

Read more...

GETTING STARTED - COLOMBO STOCK EXCHANGE (CSE)
• How do you purchase shares
• Types of securities traded at the CSE
• What is Central Depository Systems (Pvt) Ltd?
• How do I open a CDS account?
• What is the purpose of my CDS account?
• What is the reason for holding my securities in scrip-less form?
• Who are stockbrokers?
• Can I use a different broker from the one I have been using?
• How Safe Is CDS?
• Read more...

HOW TO FIND A STOCK BROKER
• Who is a Stockbroker?
• What services do they provide?
• What are their fees?
• Members of CSE (List of Stock Brokers)
• Read more...

INVESTING IN SHARES
• What are the types of shares?
• Benefits of Investing in Equity
• How do you buy/ sell shares?
• Read more...

TRADING SYSTEMS
• The Automated Trading System (ATS)
• The Debt Securities Trading System (DEX)
• The Boards
• Read more...

TRADING SESSIONS
The Exchange is open for continuous trading from Monday to Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.

Secondary trading of corporate and government debt securities through the DEX takes place from 9.30a.m. to 12.30p.m.
Read more...

TRANSACTION COSTS
• Transaction cost applicable for equity & debt securities
• Read more...

TRADING PROCESS
• Diagram

CSE - EQUITY MARKET
The CSE offers a variety of tools to help market professionals and investors monitor trading activity and keep the pulse of the market.
• Daily market summary
• Share price list
• Market Indices
• Total Return Indices
• Sector-wies market summaries
• Market capitalisation of listed companies
• Trading statistics
• Reserch papers
• Read more...

Stock Markety Report - Daily
Stock Markety Report - Weekly

MyCSE
MyCSE offers additional features such as live market information for the stocks in your portfolio, etc.
Read more...

CSE - DEBT MARKET
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has facilities for the secondary trading of Corporate and Government Securities. A separate trading system (DEX) and a separate clearing and settlement mechanism is in place for debt securities. Presently 69 corporate debt securities are listed on the CSE. All Government Debt is tradable through the DEX system.
Read more...

CSE - DERIVATIVES MARKET
• Read more...

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION• Investnow.lk - Best place to discuss matters concerning the Colombo Stock Exchange
• Colombo Stock Exchange on Wikipedia
• Securities & Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka
• The Stock Market in Sri Lanka: An Investment Opportunity Outlook for 2009 and Beyond
• Stocks in Sri Lanka are "the only equities" Jim Rogers would "consider buying at the moment" - Bloomberg newswire report
• “If I weren’t here, I’d be on a plane to Sri Lanka" - Jim Rogers on wonderful opportunities in Sri Lanka
• How to Pick Winning Stocks
• Share Valuation - Risks & Returns

Related Info :
• Securities Investment Accounts (SIA) Replace SIERA & TIERA Accounts - For Investment in Sri Lankan Equity, Debt and Unit Trusts
• Sri Lanka Offers Special Visas to Investors, Professionals & Senior Citizens