Business
CSE partners with Wayamba and Jaffna Universities to improve financial literacy among undergraduates
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recently signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (WUSL) and the University of Jaffna Sri Lanka (UOJ) to formalize collaborative efforts to improve financial literacy among undergraduates
The MoUs were signed respectively with the Vice Chancellor of Wayamba University, Senior Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe, and the Vice Chancellor of Jaffna University, Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah, at their respective University premises. Both collaborations are to promote capital market education among undergraduates by working together on several mutually beneficial strategic initiatives. Accordingly, the initiative would offer practical educational training and internship opportunities for students of both universities who are engaged in accountancy and finance, business management, and economics related degree programmes with the CSE.
Further, under the terms of the MoU, the CSE will grant an award to the student from WUSL and UOJ who obtains the highest value in the Grade Point Average (“GPA”) in the Financial Management Specialization Programme.
WUSL and UOJ will also collaborate with the ongoing educational initiatives of the CSE, the Advanced Diploma in Financial Markets (ADFM), as well as future educational activities, by providing the required expertise and resource persons to the seminars and workshops organized by the CSE for investors around the country in promoting the capital market investments.
Commenting on the partnership, the CEO of the CSE, Rajeeva Bandaranaike, stated, ” It is important to promote financial literacy among undergraduates, who are a key segment of the population equipped to contribute to an economically stable future. We are happy to partner with the Wayamba University and the University of Jaffna in progressive initiatives to promote a financially literate undergraduate population
The Vice Chancellor, Wayamba University, Senior Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe, also sharing his views on the partnership, said, “The MoU signed between the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka and the Colombo Stock Exchange can be identified as a strategic alliance, that promotes collaborative research projects, capacity development of undergraduates, and promotes stock market education within the University community”.
“Our graduates who are going out from the University must know what the stock market is. Though people talk about the stock market, they don’t have a clear idea on its operations. So proper awareness on the stock market should be created among our youth, no matter which field they are from. So, this strategic alliance would also provide an opportunity to our undergraduates to have a sound knowledge on the capital markets.”
The Vice Chancellor, University of Jaffna, Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah, also sharing his views on the partnership, said, “The partnership offers a plethora of opportunities to undergraduates to acquire knowledge on financial studies and capital market operations, which will definitely cause a positive impact on the Sri Lankan economy during these crisis times.”
“Though Sri Lanka has a high literacy rate, financial literacy in the country stands at a lower rate which should be a prime concern of the local Government. Thus, I am confident that this strategic alliance would provide benefits to both parties in a way; encouraging the younger generation of the country to be a financial literate and to the CSE to obtain resource personnel from UOJ for their educational initiatives.”
India and the UK have restarted free trade talks, nearly a year after negotiations were paused ahead of general elections in both countries.
Jonathan Reynolds, the UK’s business and trade secretary, met his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal in Delhi on Monday and kicked off the two-day discussions.
The talks focused on “advancing” the negotiations and ensuring that the deal was “balanced, ambitious and mutually beneficial”, Goyal wrote on X.
The countries have held more than a dozen rounds of negotiations since 2022, but an agreement has remained out of reach.
Sticking points include high tariffs in India on Scotch whisky and relaxing fees and visa rules for Indian students and professionals going to the UK.
Talks are being held for the first time after the Labour Party came to power in the UK and Reynolds says securing a deal is a “top priority” for his government.
“Growth will be the guiding principle in our trade negotiations with India and I’m excited about the opportunities on offer in this vibrant market,” he said in a statement ahead of the meeting.
India is forecast to become the world’s third-largest economy in a few years.
The ministers held a joint press conference after the meeting, but neither side offered a deadline for talks to conclude. Deadlines set by former ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss had passed without an agreement being finalised.
For Delhi, the trade talks have assumed renewed significance on the back of US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose reciprocal or tit-for-tat tariffs on imported goods from countries, including India.
The UK is also a high-priority trading partner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which has an ambitious target to grow exports by $1 trillion by FY30.
The UK had announced in November last year – soon after Sir Keir Starmer met PM Modi at the G20 summit in Brazil – that talks would restart in the new year.
The two countries share a trade relationship worth £41bn ($52bn) currently, according to a UK government statement, and a trade deal could unlock new opportunities for both countries.
London has identified sectors that could benefit, which include advanced manufacturing, clean energy and professional and trade services. An agreement could also potentially unlock a valuable market for British cars, Scotch whisky and financial services worth billions of dollars.
India is seeking greater mobility for its working professionals and students to the UK, while pushing for faster visa processing times.
It may also seek concessions for its residents working temporarily in the UK on business visas, who are required to pay national insurance but are still ineligible for social benefits.
Speaking at the joint conference, Goyal said that immigration was not a part of the discussions.
“India has never ever discussed immigration in any free trade negotiations,” he said. Reynolds added that business mobility was a “separate issue” from immigration.
During Reynolds’ visit, he and Goyal will also visit the BT office in the northern Indian city of Gurugram.
UK Investment Minister Poppy Gustafsson is also in India and will be participating in events in India’s two big business hubs – Mumbai and Bengaluru.
After years of scepticism over free trade deals, India has been signing agreements or is in talks with several countries or blocs. Last year, it signed a $100bn free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association – a group of four European countries that are not members of the European Union – after almost 16 years of negotiations.
It is also set to resume negotiations with the European Union this year.
[BBC]
India – Sri Lanka bilateral relations
By Sanath Nanayakkare
Sri Lanka cannot afford to stay in isolation and the two countries’ future is tied together even more than in the past, was the highlight of the keynote speech delivered by Santosh Jha, the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, at the Innovation Island Summit held at ITC Ratnadipa on 20 February 2025.
“Like any other country, Sri Lanka cannot afford to remain in isolation, and the futures of the two nations are more interconnected than ever before, the Indian HC pointed out, addressing the key event attended by 200 participants from over 45 countries.
The following are some excerpts from his speech.
“Sri Lanka is on the cusp, potentially, of a big change. People’s aspirations and expectations have found a new expression in the two elections held in Sri Lanka. The Covid pandemic and the economic crisis in Sri Lanka has underlined the need for a transformation that many Lankans have yearned for generations to happen.”
“Sri Lanka as an Island country is particularly vulnerable to climate change. It is also blessed with rich potential for green energy, including for energy exports to the larger Asian region. And Chrome because digitization has become the new currency for low middle income countries to transcend their entrenched inefficiencies; and to outgrow them to position themselves to take full advantage of the many opportunities in an emerging geo-technological age.”
“Third, and this is my last point. Like any other country, Sri Lanka cannot afford to stay in isolation. Global connectivity and interdependence remain a norm even in this new era of re-globalization. Whether it is markets abroad, or critical imports or tourism, investment and technology, Sri Lanka needs to remain engaged with the rest of the world. This requires a better understanding of global trends and opportunities. I am sure that this conference would help build a better appreciation of the need for global engagement as a means to fulfilling the aspirations of Sri Lankans for change, growth, and prosperity.”
“As far as we in India are concerned, we are engaged with Sri Lanka on the basis of our Neighborhood First and SAGAR approach. Our relations are based on the principles of solidarity; of sharing whatever best we can offer to each other; and being a partner of first as well as last resort. Today, our relations are better than ever before and spread across a wide range of domains. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi has described connectivity, energy and digitization as the three principal pillars of our development partnership. We are also engaged in other areas such as health, education, ports and airports, agriculture, fisheries in addition to security and defence. As civilizational twins, our partnership is a necessity and not a matter of choice. Our future is tied together even more than our past was.”
Mohamed Zafir Azeez, the founder of Projector.LK, has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the industry for Business Excellence, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. With over a decade of experience, he has built Projector.LK into a leading brand in Sri Lanka, providing high-quality Smart Boards, Multimedia Projectors and Business solutions.
Beyond business, Azeez is an inventor and researcher, focusing on emerging technologies and innovation. His dedication to entrepreneurship and technological advancements earned him these two awards he believes.
Committed to growth, Azeez aims to expand his business and continue pioneering technological solutions in Sri Lanka’s digital landscape, inspiring young entrepreneurs with his vision and leadership.
He expressed gratitude to his loyal customers for contributing to his success and vowed to continue winning awards in the future.”
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