SMB Securities begins equity & debt trading

SMB Securities, the latest debt and equity broker to be licensed by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), commenced operations in Colombo recently with a pledge to promote trading in rural areas.

SEC CEO Channa de Silva launches the debt and equity trading system of SMB Securities in the presence of (from left) Deputy Chairman of SMB Securities (Pvt) Ltd. Rohan Senanayake, Director/CEO of SMB Securities (Pvt) Ltd. Nandun Jayatilleke and the CSE Ms. Sureka Sellahewa.

The company has opened its office at the landmark building in Colombo from where it will offer clients a wealth of advice and information on debt and equity trading and will also enable them to trade directly on the CSE.

SMB Securities has been granted Trading Membership from the CSE for both equity and debt trading and will give its clients an opportunity to maximize their portfolio returns, the company said.

Speaking at the opening of the office the Chief Guest, Channa de Silva, Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission said the equity and debt market in Sri Lanka is tiny compared to others in the region and more intermediaries are needed to develop it. "The entry of SMB Securities adds strength to this argument and we are confident the company will bring in much needed investment to the country," he said.

CEO of the Colombo Stock Exchange Sureka Sellahewa said that one of the goals of the CSE was to reach out to people who do not know about the Stock Exchange. "The entrance of SMB Securities to the market and its promise to reach out to those in rural areas will greatly help us achieve this goal," she said. The company will aggressively promote its services in rural areas, providing investors in some outstation regions an opportunity to experience the stock exchange for the first time.