CSE joins the world ringing trading bell for financial literacy

From left: CSE Head of Market Development Niroshan Wijesundere, SEC Assistant Director of Investor Education and Advocacy Suneth Perera, CSE Chief Regulatory Officer Renuke Wijayawardhane, CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, SEC Chairman Ranel T. Wijesinha, SEC Director General Vajira Wijegunawardane, CSE Director Dumith Fernando, CSE Director Shanil Fernando, SEC Director of Investor Education and Advocacy Tushara Jayaratne

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) yesterday joined market operators around the world by ringing the bell for financial literacy, to celebrate World Investor Week 2019, a global campaign that aims at raising awareness amongst the masses on the features of the financial landscape in their respective countries.

An initiative of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSC), the World Investor Week (WIW) campaign strives to highlight the importance of investor education and protection and showcase initiatives taken by securities regulators across the world in this regard.

Held for the third consecutive year globally, the WIW 2019 edition emphasizes on the fast evolving digital environment and aims on shedding light on areas such as; online investing, digital assets and Initial Coin Offerings, whilst also re-emphasizing the basics of investing.

Alongside 91 other jurisdictions, Sri Lanka yesterday commemorated the red circled event by opening the trading floor by ringing the ceremonial trading bell at the CSE premises in Colombo.

“Financial literacy is the underpinning factor that allows capital markets to grow and thrive; it is an important time” for us to recognize to go beyond capital markets and equities,” said CSE Board Director Dumith Fernando at the ceremonial event that was graced by senior officials of the CSE and SEC.
He pointed out that while over 500 investor education and awareness programmes were conducted through the CSE, and some in collaboration with the SEC, there is certainly the need to do more.

For WIW 2019, the CSE together with SEC scheduled a number of events which includes a press advertising campaign promoting financial literacy in all three languages, seminars and workshops for capital market stakeholders, awareness programmes for schools and universities, quiz competition for corporates, digital campaign through social media, and anawareness drive at the World Trade Centre. The CSE will also publish a cartoon series titled ‘Investing in your future’ in all three languages.

The activities planned for the WIW are an addition to the series of programmes regularly conducted, targeting a broad range of socio-economic and demographic segments around the country. 

In last year’s WIW, IOSCO members and stakeholders from some 90 jurisdictions on six continents undertook a range of activities such as offering investor-focused information and services, promoting contests to increase awareness of investor education initiatives, organizing workshops and conferences and launching local/national campaigns in their jurisdictions.