CSE Expands SME Capital-Market Access as Anuradhapura and Jaffna Businesses Explore New Funding Options
COLOMBO, September 24, 2026 — Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Anuradhapura and Jaffna are being introduced to alternative avenues for raising growth capital as Sri Lanka’s capital-market institutions expand efforts to connect regional businesses with funding opportunities beyond conventional bank financing.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), together with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), recently concluded issuer forums in Anuradhapura and Jaffna on September 10 and 12 respectively.
The forums form part of an island-wide initiative aimed at increasing awareness among SMEs about capital-market funding and the opportunities available to businesses seeking to expand, strengthen their financial structures and access longer-term sources of capital.
SMEs Explore Capital-Market Opportunities
Participants were introduced to a range of options available through Sri Lanka’s capital market, including Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and the CSE’s Empower Board, which is designed to provide SMEs and growing businesses with access to equity capital.
The sessions also covered regulatory requirements associated with capital-market participation, succession planning for family-owned businesses and the importance of maintaining strong financial management practices as companies prepare for expansion.
For regional businesses, access to alternative sources of capital can be particularly relevant as companies seek to increase production capacity, enter new markets, invest in technology and build more sustainable business structures.
The CSE has previously used regional issuer forums to introduce entrepreneurs to the Empower Board and other capital-raising opportunities. Similar initiatives have been conducted in provinces across the country.
Focus on Business Readiness
The latest forums also highlighted the importance of financial discipline and creditworthiness in preparing SMEs for external investment.
Participants were briefed on the SME Creditworthiness Rating Framework, the SME Magazine and the Entrepreneur Awards Programme, alongside discussions on financial management and sustainable business growth.
The sessions are intended to help business owners understand that accessing capital markets involves more than simply raising funds. Strong financial reporting, governance, regulatory compliance and clear succession structures can also influence a company’s ability to attract investors and sustain growth.
The CSE has previously highlighted the role of capital-market participation in helping businesses improve access to capital, strengthen corporate discipline and enhance stakeholder confidence.
Regional Businesses and the Empower Board
The Empower Board remains a key platform in the CSE’s efforts to bring smaller and growing companies into the capital market.
The exchange has specifically promoted the platform among regional entrepreneurs as an equity-based avenue for companies seeking capital to support expansion. Previous CSE initiatives have targeted businesses across sectors including agribusiness, tourism, construction, energy and other growth-oriented industries.
The latest engagement in Anuradhapura and Jaffna therefore provides regional businesses with greater exposure to the processes and requirements involved in accessing equity capital.
Industry Experts Provide Practical Guidance
The forums concluded with interactive panel discussions, allowing participating entrepreneurs to raise questions directly with representatives from the capital-market, accounting, investment banking and professional services sectors.
Speakers included SEC Managers in Corporate Affairs Samanthi Gunawardana and Marian Sandanam; CSE Senior Vice President – Commercial Punyamali Saparamadu; CSE Jaffna Branch Manager Shanmukananthan Sabananthan; CSE Manager – Commercial Himashi Wickramasinghe; JA Partners Managing Partner Somasuriyasingham Janarthanan; Ernst & Young Partner Rasika Fernando; CA Sri Lanka Vice President Anoji De Silva; Deloitte Sri Lanka Associate Director Krishnaveny Karmegam; and Asia Securities Investment Banking Analysts Tharusha Wickramarachchi and Neshigan Ganeshan.
The discussions provided SMEs with practical guidance on preparing their businesses for capital-market participation and developing strategies for sustainable expansion.
For Sri Lanka’s regional SME sector, greater awareness of equity financing and other capital-market mechanisms could broaden the range of funding options available to businesses as they pursue expansion and formalise their growth strategies.
