The “Grid-Based Rooftop Solar Power and Virtual Net Meter Reading” has been identified as a priority-based project with the objective of providing a solution for the effective use and distribution of solar energy for the independent power producers and improving small- and medium-scale renewable energy projects.

Approval has been granted at the cabinet meeting held on 03-11-2025 to have negotiations with the Asian Development Bank and other relevant representatives in respect of project financing. As per the decisions of the aforementioned meetings, the discussions for obtaining the relevant loans and grants with the Asian Development Bank, the European Union, and the Japanese Fund for the Joint Credit Mechanisms have now been concluded.

Based on the agreement reached in those negotiations and as per the terms and conditions of the Asian Development Bank debts, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the  President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to enter into debt and grant agreements for obtaining a debt of US$35 million from the concessional general capital resources of the Asian
Development Bank, a grant of EUR 15.4 million from the European Union, and a grant of US$5.5 million from the Japanese Fund for the Joint Credit Mechanism.

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) hosted the first of a new series of country-wide investor forums on the iconic CSE trading floor on 25th June and 9th July in Sinhala and English respectively.

The investor forums collectively attracted over 180 participants, with many first-time investors taking the opportunity to speak to members of the SEC, CSE, Unit Trust Associations and Stockbrokers from 5:00 PM onwards.

The forums opened with presentations from senior economists of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, including Mrs. Lasantha Wijerathne and Chathura Kulawardena, who provided a high-level overview of the country’s macroeconomic landscape. The session also featured presentations by members of leading stockbroking firms, including Tharaka Peiris, Senior Research Analyst at NDB Securities (Pvt) Ltd, and . Cheran de la Harpe, Manager – Research at HNB Stockbrokers (Pvt) Ltd, who provided participants with an overview of the capital market. In addition, representatives from the unit trust industry, including Asanka Herath, Secretary of the Unit Trust Association and CEO and Head of Equity at Lynear Wealth Management (Pvt) Ltd, and Surath Perera, Chief Investment Officer of Senfin Asset Management Pvt Ltd, introduced participants to investing in unit trusts.

The presentations were followed by an interactive panel discussion featuring the speakers as well as Vice President of the Unit Trust Association, Director and CEO of First Capital Asset Management (Pvt) Ltd Kavin Karunamoorthy, Acting Director General of the SEC Tushara Jayaratne and Executive Vice President – Marketing of the CSE Niroshan Wijesundere.

Following the panel discussions attendees enjoyed the opportunity to meet with stockbrokers and unit trust associations to open new investment accounts. All new investors who opened an account on the days of the forum were entitled to receive an investment coupon.

The forum was conducted amidst a remarkable six-year growth in the capital market which saw the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) rise from 4,846 points in May 2020 to 22,310.80 points by the end of May 2026. This represents a growth of 360% and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 28.98% – with capital gains remaining tax-free prospective investors can be notified of through the CSE website and mobile app.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) will host the Inaugural National Sustainable Development Law Symposium on 21 July at The Hilton Colombo, bringing together legal practitioners, policymakers, judges, academics, corporate leaders, financial sector professionals and development stakeholders for a full-day forum on the growing role of law in advancing sustainable development, climate resilience and responsible economic growth.

Held under the theme From Global Trade, Finance and Investment to a National Imperative on Resilience: Integrating a Sustainability Lens in Legal Careers, the programme is structured around several thematic sessions examining the legal dimensions of sustainability in trade, finance, investment, climate governance and national policymaking.

The sessions will cover areas such as Strengthening Domestic Capacity to Succeed and Thrive Amidst a Changing Climate, Sustainability Due Diligence in Global Trade and Positioning Sri Lanka as a Trade Hub in the Region, Sustainable Finance and ESG Due Diligence in Investments: Sri Lanka and CIFC as a Hub for the Region, and Creating the

The keynote address will be delivered by His Lordship Justice A.H.M.D.Nawaz, Justice of Supreme Court.

The programme will also feature distinguished speakers including Justice Shiranee Thilakawardane – Former Justice of the Supreme Court, Prof. Dr. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger /Chairperson Sustainable Development Law & Policy, University of Cambridge, Simon Tribelhorn – CEO – Liechtenstein Bankers Association, Ravi Algama, Dr. Asanga Gunawansa, PC, Prof. (Dr.) Kokila Konasinghe – Professor in Law University of Colombo, Dr. Ravindranath Dabare, Centre for Environmental Justice, Neshan Gunasekera, CEO – World Future Council, Ms. Chamindry Saparamadu – Former DG Sri Lanka Sustainable Development Council and Executive Director, DevPro, Prof. Dominic Coppens – International Economic Law Maastricht University Netherlands, Deputy Solicitor General Nirmalan Wigneswaran, Deputy Solicitor General, Dr. Avanthi Perera, Senith Abeyanayake – Research Associate Centre for Smart Future, Ms. Prashani Illangasekera – General Manager Group ESG, Hayleys PLC, Shiran Fernando – SG/ CEO The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, , Dr. Priyantha Thilakaweera – Director Macroprudential Surveillance, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Mr. Thilan Wijesinghe – Managing Director TWC Holdings, Mr. Adheesha Perera – Core Group Member Sri Lanka Banks’ Association’s Sustainable Banking Initiative, Mr. Leel Randeni – Director Climate Change Secretariat from Ministry of Environment, Dr. Ananda Mallawatantri – Co-Chair, Climate Action Steering Committee, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Ms. Punyamali Saparamadu – Senior Vice President -Commercial Colombo Stock Exchange.

For further details, please contact the BASL Program Office at 077 588 8781 or

b.jayasinghe@basl.lk.