Business
SEC urges Compliance Officers to play a more effective role
As part of their continuing efforts to strengthen market standards and investor confidence, officials of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recently met with Compliance Officers of all categories of Market Intermediaries. The meeting served as a valuable opportunity to engage in a constructive dialogue on regulatory matters and industry best practices.
Emphasizing the importance of the compliance function, the SEC Chairman, Faizal Salieh, stated that the SEC regards the Compliance Officer as a Key Management Person who is empowered to act with independence, authority and responsibility. The appointment of a Compliance Officer is a prerequisite for granting or renewing licenses to Market Intermediaries and to comply with SEC requirements. Compliance Officers must provide a sworn affidavit declaring their adherence to the fit and proper criteria established by the SEC.
He further stated that, in the event the Compliance Officer resigns, it is imperative that the Market Intermediary must promptly inform the SEC, and select a successor with prior SEC approval. The Chairman stated that the SEC will investigate the reasons behind a resignation, particularly focusing on any internal interference or influences within the compliance function.
Referring to the regulatory obligations outlined in the SEC Rules applicable to Market Intermediaries, the SEC Chairman asserted that the SEC mandates that Compliance Officers must hold full-time positions due to the substantial responsibilities associated with their role.
Speaking on the reporting lines of the Compliance Officer, Salieh, emphasised that the compliance function should be independent of the business operations of the Market Intermediary and all compliance related matters should be reported by the Compliance Officer directly to the Board of Directors or a Board sub-committee dealing with risk, such as the Audit or Risk Committee.
The discussion also focused on the need for all Market Intermediaries to ensure compliance with the SEC Act and the applicable Rules. These Rules mandate the creation of an internal compliance manual for directors and employees, incorporating the specific content outlined in the relevant schedule to the Rules. It was stressed that before developing this manual, Market Intermediaries should have a Board-approved compliance policy to guide the Compliance Officer in implementing the compliance process. The Chairman urged Compliance Officers to ensure that there is a Board-approved compliance policy and discussed key areas within the minimum content of the compliance manual, including conflicts of interest, corporate governance, and risk management with a view to elevating market standards and making the market more attractive to investors.
The Chairman also stressed the need for Compliance Officers to provide prior written approval for all personal account trade transactions of other employees, in order that these transactions do not harm other clients’ interests. Referring to the complaints received by the SEC, the need to have an effective complaint handling mechanism at the Market Intermediary level to proactively address client complaints was also emphasized.
Speaking on the critical role Market Intermediaries play to protect the financial system and the wider community from criminal activities, Salieh stressed the importance of adhering to the regulatory framework set by the Financial Intelligence Unit of Sri Lanka (FIU) with regard to Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) requirements.
The vibrant celebration of Canada’s 159th National Day in Colombo brought together diplomats, government representatives, leading business executives and members of the Sri Lankan and Canadian communities, highlighting the growing strength of bilateral economic and commercial relations between Sri Lanka and Canada.
Hosted by the Canada Sri Lanka Business Convention (CanCham Sri Lanka), the event attracted one of the largest gatherings in its history, providing an important platform for business networking while celebrating the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner for Canada in Sri Lanka and the Maldives Isabelle Martin said Canada and Sri Lanka continue to enjoy a warm and expanding partnership built on shared values, people-to-people links, trade, investment and development cooperation.
“Canada Day is an opportunity not only to celebrate our country but also to celebrate the strong friendships and partnerships we have built with Sri Lanka.
The remarkable turnout this evening reflects the strength of those relationships and the growing collaboration between our two nations,” Martin said.
She noted that the close engagement between Canadian and Sri Lankan businesses continues to create new opportunities in trade, innovation, education, sustainable development and investment.
CanCham Sri Lanka officials said this year’s celebration was among the most successful Canada Day events ever organised by the Chamber, drawing an outstanding crowd and creating exceptional opportunities for business networking.
“What an incredible celebration of Canada Day. This was truly one of the most successful Canada Day celebrations in history, with an outstanding crowd and exceptional networking opportunities. It was wonderful to see so many distinguished guests, business leaders and community members come together,” the organisers said.
They thanked sponsors, partners, supporters and volunteers whose dedication ensured the success of the event.
The evening showcased Canada’s multicultural heritage while reaffirming the Chamber’s commitment to promoting stronger commercial links between Sri Lanka and Canada.
Guests representing a wide cross-section of industries exchanged ideas on expanding trade, investment and innovation partnerships.
Canada remains an important economic partner for Sri Lanka, with bilateral trade spanning apparel, agriculture, seafood, ICT services, education and professional services.
Canadian companies continue to explore opportunities in renewable energy, infrastructure, technology and sustainable development, while Sri Lankan exporters maintain a significant presence in the Canadian market.
Business leaders attending the celebration expressed confidence that closer collaboration between the two countries would further strengthen economic resilience and create new opportunities for investment, entrepreneurship and knowledge sharing.
The event concluded on a celebratory note, reaffirming the longstanding friendship between Canada and Sri Lanka and the shared commitment to fostering stronger business and people-to-people ties in the years ahead.
By Ifham Nizam
Tokyo Cement hosted ‘Build Beyond 2026 Summit’, a premier knowledge-sharing conference that brought together leading academics, civil and structural engineering experts and professionals of the Sri Lankan construction industry. The event featured keynote addresses by renowned construction technology specialists, Professor Shashank Bishnoi from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi-Abu Dhabi, and Senior Professor Priyan Mendis from the University of Melbourne.
The summit marked the second edition of the Build Beyond Engineering Technology Summit organized by the Tokyo Cement Group, designed to foster collaboration between academia and industry while highlighting global trends, innovations, and emerging technologies in cement and concrete. This year’s discussions focused on advancements in material science that are driving more sustainable and cost-efficient construction practices.
The event drew participation from state-sector authorities, research institutions, academia, engineering students, and public and private sector organizations, creating a dynamic platform for engagement across the construction industry. A key feature of the summit was a high-level panel discussion on “Building a Resilient and Sustainable Construction Future,” featuring several distinguished industry leaders.
The panel included Eng. Nissanka Wijerathne, the Secretary General/CEO of the Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka (CCI), Founder and Deputy Chairman of Civil & Structural Engineering Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd.; Eng. Shiromal Fernando, the Chairman of CTBUH Sri Lanka and Vice President of the Green Building Council Sri Lanka, Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University and visiting lecturer at the University of Moratuwa; Eng.
Strengthening its commitment to making vehicle ownership more accessible and affordable, Commercial Bank of Ceylon has entered into a strategic partnership with Carmart (Pvt) Ltd. to offer specially structured leasing facilities for Peugeot and Leapmotor vehicles.
Formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the collaboration brings together the Bank’s expertise in flexible financing and Carmart’s portfolio of internationally recognised vehicle brands, creating a value-rich proposition for customers seeking to purchase new vehicles.
Under this MoU, valid until 30th June 2027, Commercial Bank will offer attractive interest rates, concessions on documentation charges, and a complimentary credit card with the first year’s annual fee waived. These benefits are designed to reduce upfront costs and ease the financial commitment associated with vehicle ownership.
With leasing facilities available through Commercial Bank’s island-wide branch network, a cross section of customers will be able to part-finance their vehicle purchases while structuring repayments to align with their income patterns, enabling greater financial flexibility.
Further enhancing the value proposition, Carmart (Pvt) Ltd. will offer customers a range of added benefits, including a complimentary full tank of fuel, free vehicle registration, and other exclusive privileges, making the overall vehicle ownership experience more rewarding.
The Bank said the partnership reflects its continued focus on delivering practical and customer-centric leasing solutions in collaboration with reputed vendors. By combining competitive rates with cost-saving concessions, the Bank aims to make vehicle ownership more attainable for both existing and new customers.
This collaboration is particularly significant in the current market context, as it offers customers the opportunity to benefit from preferential leasing terms while managing repayments in a way that suits their financial circumstances.
As a pioneer in leasing solutions, Commercial Bank continues to innovate through strategic alliances that enhance value, broaden choice, and support customers in achieving their lifestyle aspirations.
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