CSE and Commercial Bank Join Forces to Expand Capital Market Access for Sri Lankan Businesses
COLOMBO, October 7, 2026 — The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen enterprise development, expand access to capital, and create new growth opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The partnership is aimed at building stronger links between businesses and the capital market by creating structured pathways for eligible companies to explore listing opportunities and alternative avenues for raising capital.
Under the agreement, the CSE and Commercial Bank will work together to identify and support businesses with growth potential, leveraging the bank’s extensive corporate and SME client network alongside the CSE’s capital market platforms and expertise.
A key focus of the collaboration will be improving the readiness of businesses seeking to access the capital market. Commercial Bank’s Investment Banking Unit will support participating companies with guidance on capital-raising options, regulatory requirements and assessments of their readiness to become prospective issuers.
The partnership will also establish opportunities for joint workshops, seminars and one-on-one engagement sessions aimed at helping businesses better understand capital markets, listing requirements and financing alternatives.
The initiative is expected to make the capital market more accessible to a broader segment of Sri Lankan enterprises, particularly businesses that may have had limited exposure to formal capital-raising mechanisms.
For the CSE, increasing the number and diversity of companies accessing the market could help broaden the listed-company base, deepen market activity and provide investors with a wider range of investment opportunities. Greater participation by SMEs and emerging businesses could also strengthen the connection between enterprise expansion and long-term capital formation.
Financial literacy will form another important component of the partnership. Through coordinated awareness programmes, the two institutions intend to improve understanding of investment, capital raising and financial management among businesses and potential investors.
The collaboration will also seek to extend capital-market engagement beyond traditional business centres and established corporate segments. By reaching underserved regions and sectors, the initiative could support greater inclusivity and diversity within Sri Lanka’s capital market.
Beyond facilitating potential listings, the MoU represents a broader effort to strengthen the country’s business financing ecosystem by combining Commercial Bank’s extensive client reach and financial expertise with the CSE’s capital-market infrastructure.
The partnership is expected to provide locally based enterprises with clearer pathways to growth while encouraging a stronger culture of informed investment and corporate financial planning.
By connecting more businesses with capital-market opportunities, the CSE and Commercial Bank aim to support enterprise expansion, diversify sources of financing and contribute to the development of a deeper and more inclusive financial ecosystem in Sri Lanka.
