King Sasanka – Sri Lankan Writer & Retired Aviation Professional.

  Navigating Market Volatility on the Colombo Stock Exchange: A 30-Year Veteran’s Guide for Retail Investors Are market fluctuations on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) causing you panic? Learn practical, time-tested strategies from a 30-year CSE investor to secure your portfolio during choppy market conditions. Introduction If you have entered the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recently, watching the All Share Price Index (ASPI) swing wildly—especially during periods of lower turnover and volume—can be nerve-wracking. Sharp pullbacks and choppy trading sessions often spark fear, prompting many new investors to make emotional, hasty decisions. Having actively invested in Sri Lanka’s stock market for over three decades, I have weathered multiple bull runs, bear markets, and political and economic cycles. Volatility is not a sign of disaster; it is a natural characteristic of stock markets. Panic selling during choppy periods only locks in actual capital losses and further fuels ...

The Zero Buying Power Paradox: Why Archaic Broker Regulations Are Choking the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Reactivating a dormant trading account on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) should be a seamless step toward re-engaging with the capital markets. Recently, after diligently submitting all required KYC and compliance documents, a portfolio worth nearly LKR 500,000 was finally granted access.   Victorious?  Not quite.  What followed was a bureaucratic twist that exposes deep-rooted flaws in how retail investors are treated in Sri Lanka. The "Zero Buying Power" Wall Upon logging in, the account’s buying power was set to a baffling ZERO .   When turning to the stockbroking firm for answers, the rationale provided was staggering: The Portfolio Threshold: Brokerage rules dictate that buying power will only be unlocked once the portfolio volume surpasses the LKR 500,000 mark, and even then, it is capped at a meagre  25% of the ...

In-depth fundamental analysis of Union Bank of Colombo PLC (CSE: UBC.N0000 | ISIN: LK0306N00007), covering H1 2026 earnings growth, valuation metrics, capital adequacy, and overall financial health. Fundamental Summary Union Bank of Colombo PLC demonstrates strong operational earnings momentum with an 84% year-on-year increase in 1H 2026 Profit Before Tax (PBT) and trades at a steep discount to net asset value (P/B ~0.65x), though historical Return on Equity (ROE) remains depressed relative to sector peers. Key Strengths ·          Accelerating Profitability & Earnings Momentum: Profit Before Tax (PBT) rose 84% YoY to LKR 881 Mn for 1H 2026 (PAT up 134% to LKR 587 Mn), supported by a 22% increase in Net Interest Income (NII) and 36% growth in fee/commission revenue. ·          Attractive Asset Discount (Margin of Safety): The stock trades at a Price-to-Book Value (P/B) ratio of ~0.65x again...

Summary Tokyo Cement (TKYO) exhibits solid top-line growth driven by surging construction demand and market leadership, though its bottom-line profitability has contracted due to absorbed cost escalations, currency depreciation, and increased capital expenditure expenses. Key Strengths Robust Volume Growth & Leadership: Cement sales volumes grew by 28% year-on-year in FY 2025/26, significantly outperforming the broader industry growth rate of 19% and strengthening its dominant market position. Top-Line Expansion: Annual turnover expanded by 22% to reach Rs. 61,011 million , supported by the revival of stalled government infrastructure and private-sector construction initiatives. Strategic Supply Chain Enhancements: Investments in capacity expansion projects and a dedicated coastal shipping vessel improve long-term distribution efficiency from Trincomalee and mitigate transport risks. Risks & Watch Points Margin Compression: Profit after tax declined by 26% to Rs...

Owning premium real estate is a universal dream. Landing a piece of property in a bustling commercial hub feels like the ultimate milestone. But when that dream is anchored in a capital city’s most sought-after, iconic locations, sky-rocketing prices can make it feel like a pipedream for most everyday earners.   If you look at the traditional property market, it is easy to get discouraged. However, there is a completely accessible, strategic, and remarkably inexpensive backdoor to becoming a part-owner of the city's crown jewels.   Look Closely at the City Skyline Think about the landmarks that define Colombo’s landscape: Majestic City, Unity Plaza, and Havelock City Mall. These massive, high-traffic commercial hubs generate immense value daily. But here is the piece of the puzzle that many miss: these properties are owned and managed by public companies listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) .   The Micro-Ownership Advantage You do not need billions of ru...

කොළඹ කොටස් වෙළඳ පොලේ ඔබ ආයෝජනය කරන්නේ කොහොමද? මේ වීඩියෝ වෙන් ඔබ ගිණුමක් ඇර ගන්නේ කොහොමද, තැරව්කාරයෙකු තෝරා ගන්නේ කොහොමද සහ ඔබට තැරව්කරුවකගේ සහය මේ සඳහා අවශ්‍ය ඇයි වැනි පැහැදිළි කිරීම ඇතුලත් වේ.  ඔබගේ කියවීමේ පහසුව සඳහා වීඩියෝව සෙමෙන් ඉදිරියට යෑමට සලස්වා ඇත.  අවශ්‍ය කෙනෙකුට මේ සඳහා නිපදවන ලද පිඩීඑෆ් මුල්පිටපතක් ලබා දීමට හැකි බව දැන ගන්න.  ස්තුතියි.

For new investors eyeing the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), understanding the role of a licensed stockbroker is crucial.  Unlike direct market access in some jurisdictions, Sri Lanka’s regulatory framework mandates that all retail investors trade through approved brokers.  This requirement safeguards investors, ensures market integrity, and facilitates efficient transactions.  Below, we break down why this rule exists, how brokers add value, and what to do if trust is breached. 1. Why Is an Approved Stock Broker Required?   a. Regulatory Compliance & Investor Protection   The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) requires all investors to trade through licensed brokers to: Prevent fraud and unauthorized trading : Brokers act as intermediaries, verifying investor identities and ensuring transactions comply with laws like the  Securities and Exchange Act of 1987 . Maintain market order : Brokers are bound by SEC r...