The objective of the forum was to provide an insight for small and medium enterprises to discover capital-raising opportunities available at the CSE via listing on the Empower and Dirisavi Boards of the Colombo Stock Exchange.
Thus, the program was targeted towards companies in agribusinesses, livestock, energy generation, construction and tourism-related businesses.
The forum attracted approximately 57 business owners.
The forum was attended by Mr. Viraj Manatunga, Group Chief Strategy Officer/Divisional Director Pharmaceutical Agencies and Manufacturing, CIC Holdings PLC, Mr. Sulakshana Hettiarachchi, Associate Vice President, NDB Investment Bank Limited, and representing the CSE, Mr. Niroshan Wijesundere, Senior Vice President - Marketing, Ms. Nilupa Perera, Senior Vice President - Trading Operations, Market Surveillance & Listed Entity Compliance, Ms. Punyamali Saparamadu, Senior Vice President - Commercial, Mr. Kassapa Weerasekara, Senior Assistant Manager - Listings, and the CSE staff.
Expressing the benefits CIC Holdings PLC experienced by listing on the CSE, Mr. Manatunga of CIC Holdings PLC stated, “CIC is delighted to be part of the program. We have utilized CSE to raise capital, ensuring adherence to Corporate Governance guidelines to evolve as a listed entity representing the S&P 20 Index.”
Conducting a session on the “Benefits and Misconceptions of Listing at CSE,” Mr. Hettiarachchi of NDB Investment Bank Ltd. said,
“An Investment Bank will manage the entire IPO process on behalf of a company, thereby enabling the company to achieve its long-term targets, growth plans, optimal debt-to-equity mix, and so on.”
Representing the CSE at the forum, Ms. Perera conducted a session on “Good Governance Practices.
She pointed out that “Corporate Governance is an essential element, - whether the company is listed or unlisted.
Having a good corporate governance structure builds trust and confidence across all stakeholder groups.”
An insightful panel discussion was also held on the subject of “Journey towards and after listing” with the participation of Mr. Viraj Manatunga, Mr. Sulakshana Hettiarachchi, Ms. Nilupa Perera, Mr. Kassapa Weerasekara, and Ms. Punyamali Saparamadu as the moderator.
Phot Caption Left to Right Mr. Sulakshana Hettiarachchi Associate Vice President, NDB Investment Bank Limited, Mr. Viraj Manatunga Group Chief Strategy Officer/Divisional Director Pharmaceutical Agencies and Manufacturing, CIC Holdings PLC, Mr. Kassapa Weerasekara Senior Assistant Manager – Listings, Ms. Nilupa Perera Senior Vice President - Trading Operations, Market Surveillance & Listed Entity Compliance and Ms. Punyamali Saparamadu, Senior Vice President - Commercial