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CSE and SEC Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy

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Podium Participants From Left: CSE Head of Marketing Niroshan Wijesundere, SEC Director Surveillance Prabash Wanigatunge, CSE Chief Regulatory Officer Renuke Wijayawardhane, SEC Commission Member Manil Jayesinghe, CSE Director Ray Abeywardena, SEC Chairman Viraj Dayaratne PC, CSE Chairman Dumith Fernando, SEC Director General Chinthaka Mendis, CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, SEC Director External Relations and Capital Market Education Tushara Jayaratne, CSE Chief Information Officer Chandrakanth Jayasinghe

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in association with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) joined stock exchanges from around the world to Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy, as part of the World Investor Week 2021 global campaign.

The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) recently launched its fifth annual World Investor Week campaign following campaigns that previously paved the way for financial organizations across the globe to showcase their initiatives for promoting investor education and protection.

Over 80 global financial orgaizations have joined The Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy initiative in 2021, which is an initiative pioneered by the World Federation of Exchanges to bring stakeholders together for a call to action on improving financial literacy. These ceremonies also provide an opportunity for exchanges to promote the work being done within their respective jurisdictions to improve financial education and literacy.

According to key statistics based on a global financial literacy survey done by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Sri Lanka indicated a significant gap between financial literacy and book literacy. According to the survey data, Sri Lanka has achieved 35% financial literacy while book literacy is around 90%. As per the survey, on average, 65% of adults in the major advanced economies are financially literate. This indicates a further unexplored scope to promote financial literacy among Sri Lankans, and thereby contribute to an economically stable population. Fronted by this objective, CSE and SEC cover a broad range of socioeconomic and demographic segments around the country, targeting various aspects of financial literacy throughout the year.

The Ring the Bell for Financial Literacy Ceremony organized at CSE was part of a series of several initiatives organized in Sri Lanka for the World Investor Week campaign by the CSE and the SEC.

Delivering the opening remarks at the ceremony the Chairman of CSE, Mr. Dumith Fernando commented that the initiative is quite timely and comes at a juncture where a paramount importance should be placed on individual financial literacy in elevating the economy of Sri Lanka post pandemic and in the country’s road to financial revival of our citizens. He further stated “As key stakeholders of the Sri Lankan financial space, SEC and CSE believe that we have a greater role to play in financial education and in promoting a more financially savvy population. Our investment and involvement in education in the Sri Lankan financial literacy is fundamental to our commitment to market integrity, inclusive growth, sustainable economic expansion, and fostering an investor-protected capital market.

CSE has over 400 strategized initiatives throughout the year aimed at broadening investor knowledge and educating the public on how to take advantage of the capital market. Financial technology or Fintech is acting as a catalyst in revolutionizing financial markets around the world. Therefore, we have recognized that it is high time to adopt and surpass the traditional approaches of imparting knowledge and skills. “

The Chairman of the SEC, Mr. Viraj Dayaratne PC, who spoke at the event noted the extensive effort made by the SEC towards educating the Sri Lankan investment community. He added “When you speak of education and awareness, its two fold. One part of education is to ensure that investors or the general public move away from traditional means of savings to investments. So as far as education is concerned, that is a message that has to be taken to masses. Next aspect is the protection of investors, once they come into the market and get involved with investments, it is our responsibility to ensure that their investments are safe.

Investors need to educate themselves, gather information, and the sources that you gather information is very important, because you have to gather that information/knowledge from the proper sources. If not your investments may not be safe. We have the Latin term “Caveat emptor”, that means Buyer Beware, like any other investment, you go to buy some goods from a store, you do some homework and you find out who has manufactured, is there a warranty, the brand and so on. You need to be mindful of that information when you decide to buy something. As a regulator, we can protect you, we have measures in place to protect you. But you need to look after yourself as well. You can’t make investments that are not safe and rely on the regulator or the stock exchange to look after you. You have to look after yourself. This is something that needs to be taken forward, not only at a time like this but throughout the year.”



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SL’s apparel sector seen as placed in jeopardy by US’ 30% reciprocal tariff

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The announcement of a 30% reciprocal tariff by the U.S., scheduled to take effect from 1st August 2025, has raised significant concern within Sri Lanka’s apparel industry. As one of the country’s largest export earners, the sector relies heavily on access to the U.S. market, and such a steep increase threatens to erode competitiveness, particularly when compared to regional peers.

JAAF notes that Vietnam has already concluded its negotiations and now faces a 20% tariff, while Bangladesh, though at 35%, has already begun negotiations with the U.S. to secure a reduction. India’s position remains under discussion, but early signals suggest it may receive a more favorable rate than Sri Lanka. In all likelihood Cambodia, another competitor with a tariff rate marginally higher than Sri Lanka will also be negotiating for a reduction.

“If the 30% tariff stands, we risk seeing a migration of U.S. buyers to lower-tariff countries,” JAAF warned. “We strongly urge the Government to continue active engagement with the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to secure a better deal for Sri Lanka.”

The reduction from 44 to 30% is a recognition of the good faith with which Sri Lanka has been having its dialogue with USTR and JAAF is encouraged by the Government’s comments today indicating that negotiations with USTR will continue with a sense of urgency ahead of the 1st August deadline when the 30% will become effective. JAAF further stressed that a diplomatic resolution is vital to safeguarding jobs, sustaining market share, and reinforcing Sri Lanka’s position as a trusted partner in global apparel supply chains.

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Technomedics adds three new members to the Board of Directors

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Technomedics, a leader in healthcare technology in Sri Lanka, proudly announces the appointment of Meval Srilal, Chanaka Weerawardena and Rajeeva Wimalawickrama to its Board of Directors, effective from the 1st of April 2025. The appointments reflect the company’s commitment to strengthening its leadership and laying the foundation for a bold, futuristic strategic vision.

Mevan Srilal has been with Technomedics for 25-years and first joined the company as a Sales Engineer. His consistent performance saw him rise to the role of Chief Operating Officer and ultimately Executive Director. Srilal has played an integral role in expanding the company’s product portfolio and its entry into new markets. He is an Electronics Engineering graduate from University of Hull (UK). His engineering background underscores the unique fusion of technical expertise and business acumen he brings to the board.

Another respected figure from within Technomedics, is Chanaka Weerawardena, who has been with the company for 19-years. After joining the company as a Marketing Manager in 2003, he advanced though the ranks to become Chief Operating Officer in 2017 and was appointed Executive Director. Chanka brings with him a strong foundation in marketing and business strategy, and he holds an MBA from the University of Ballarat, Australia, and is a Fellow member of the Sri Lanka Marketing Institute.

The third new addition to the Board of Directors is Rajeeva Wimalawickrama, who has over 30-years in diverse industries including apparel, plantations, leisure, and healthcare. He joined Technomedics as Deputy General Manager of Finance in and was appointed Chief Financial Officer thereafter. Eventually he went on to become Executive Director in 2022. Over the years Rajeeva has been a central figure in shaping the company’s financial growth and stability. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, the Association of Accounting Technicians and the Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka and member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He holds an MBA from the University of South Queensland, Australia. Rajeeva also a Board member of JF&I Packaging (Pvt) Limited a subsidiary of Technomedics.

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The Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association chairman calls for firm retention of all-inclusive freight regulation to safeguard national competitiveness and export integrity

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In a decisive show of unity and resolve, the Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association (CRTA) Chairman Harin de Silva today extended the Association’s unprecedented support to the continued enforcement of the all-inclusive freight regulation first introduced in 2013, calling on the Government of Sri Lanka to uphold the regulation in the face of renewed lobbying efforts to dismantle it.

He warned that repealing the law would threaten transparency, distort freight pricing, and severely undermine the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s vital export sector. He further stated that revoking the regulation would reintroduce hidden surcharges—once numbering up to 44 separate fees—leading to anti-competitive practices, price distortions, and an eventual transfer of costs to the end consumer.

The all-inclusive freight regulation, introduced via Gazette in 2013 under the administration of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was the culmination of nearly two decades of advocacy led by trade and shipping councils. The regulation mandates that all freight charges, including terminal handling charges (THC), must be transparently bundled into a single, negotiated freight rate, eliminating ambiguity and arbitrary pricing.

The CRTA, representing one of Sri Lanka’s Natural Rubber sector, reiterated that freight costs form a critical component of pricing competitiveness in international markets. “Our members depend on clear, predictable logistics costs to price their products competitively. Without the regulation, we risk returning to a dark period where exporters were blindsided by opaque, un-negotiated charges that stripped away margins and undermined buyer confidence,” said Harin de Silva.

He further added that dismantling the regulation would be especially damaging for small exporters, who lack the bargaining power to challenge freight agents or foreign buyers offloading costs onto them. He called for structured consultation with industry players before any legislative change. Policy must be made with insight from those directly affected and not anyone else!

The Colombo Rubber Traders’ Association fully endorses the continued enforcement of the all-inclusive freight and calls upon the Government to firmly reject attempts to dismantle the regulation. As a leading voice of one of the country’s legacy export sectors, the CRTA stresses that transparency in freight pricing is essential not only to protect exporters but to uphold national credibility in international trade.

“We urge the Government to recognize that this is not merely a technical rule—it is a safeguard against exploitation, a pillar of fair trade, and a protector of Sri Lankan competitiveness,” the Association stated.

“The freight regulation must be defended—not just for today’s traders, but for the future of Sri Lanka’s export economy. We stand united with our peers in the logistics, apparel, and export communities in saying: this law must stand.”

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