SEC and CSE take ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ to Dubai in ME investment push

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) successfully concluded the ‘Invest Sri Lanka’ Investor Forum in Dubai on January 22 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, as part of a series of roadshows across the Middle East.

The forum, targeting the international investment community and Sri Lankan diaspora, served as major events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to spotlight Sri Lanka’s emergence as a rising frontier market with zero capital gains tax amid a sustained rally that has delivered rapid growth over the past few years.

The forum brought together high-level government officials, regulators, leading stock brokering firms, international investors, fund managers, banks and the Sri Lankan diaspora to foster connections and promote long-term capital flows into Sri Lanka and featured a panel discussion and presentations from key speakers. 

Alongside the forums, the SEC and CSE facilitated strategic meetings with several prominent regional institutions, including UAE state-owned global investment firm Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, meetings were held between the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and leading UAE-based banks to discuss the resumption of foreign credit lines to Sri Lanka.

The Dubai forum was marked by the presence of several senior level policy officials, market leaders and market regulators and facilitators, including; Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL); Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development; Prof. Arusha Cooray, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to United Arab Emirates; Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai & the Northern Emirates; Senior Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara, Chairman of the SEC; Ray Abeywardena, Director of CSE; and Dr. Naveen Gunawardane, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lynear Wealth Management (Pvt) Limited. 

Highlighting market performance, CSE Director, Ray Abeywardena shared that the All-Share-Price-Index (ASPI) has experienced exponential growth and sits over 23,800 points, representing a staggering 120% growth since October 2024, post the Presidential Election.

In his opening remarks, Senior Prof. D.B.P.H. Dissabandara, Chairman of the SEC, highlighted the rationale behind the forum’s location, stated that the regulator and operator chose to host the Invest Sri Lanka Forum in Dubai to engage directly with this vibrant community and highlight the compelling opportunities available within Sri Lanka’s capital market, including avenues for long-term investment through the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Providing the macroeconomic context, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), briefed the forum in a segment dedicated to the economic outlook of Sri Lanka in 2026 and beyond.