The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is Sri Lanka's sole authorised securities exchange. Established in 1987, it provides an organised marketplace for the trading of equities (shares), debt instruments (debentures), warrants, preference shares, and other listed securities.
The CSE is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and operates under the Securities and Exchange Commission Act. It sets listing rules, disclosure requirements, and trading standards that all listed companies must adhere to.
Trading on the CSE takes place through the Automated Trading System (ATS), an electronic order-matching platform. Transactions are settled on a T+3 basis for most securities, meaning trades executed today are settled (money and shares exchanged) three business days later.
The CSE lists approximately 280-300 companies across a broad range of sectors, including banking and finance, manufacturing, plantations, hotels and travel, diversified holdings, information technology, and healthcare. While the exchange is smaller than major global bourses, it plays a critical role in Sri Lanka's capital markets and economic development.