CDS celebrates 25 years in Capital Market
The Central Depository Systems (Pvt) Ltd (CDS), a fully owned
subsidiary of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), celebrated 25 years in
the Sri Lankan Capital Market on Friday.

CEO of the CSE Rajeeva Bandaranaike and officials jointly
cut the ceremonial cake to celebrate the event. |
The CDS was set up by the CSE in 1991, marking a historic
breakthrough in clearing and settlement in Sri Lanka.
The milestone was celebrated at a market opening ceremony organized
with the participation of the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) Thilak Karunaratne, the Director General of the SEC
Vajira Wijegunawardane, the Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Central
Securities Depository Group (ACG) Mr. Muhammad Hanif, the Chairman of
the CSE Vajira Kulatilaka, Directors of the CSE Ray Abeywardena, Asanga
Seneviratne, Aravinda Perera, Ms. Jeeva Niriella and the CEO of the CSE
Rajeeva Bandaranaike. CEOs of CSE Member Firms, representatives of
Custodian and Settlement Banks, Company Secretaries, Company Registrars,
the CSE management, the staff of the CDS and other distinguished guests
from the capital market fraternity were also present at the event.
Upon its historic entry to the capital market, the CDS was tasked to
specialize in the settlement of securities transactions and the
safekeeping of securities on behalf of domestic and international
investors.
Today, the CDS handles dematerialization operations, accounts
services, corporate action services and clearing & settlement services
for its stakeholders – all possible as a result of a transformational
journey of constant innovation, stakeholder focus and technical
advancement. Sharing his remarks on the milestone, the Chairman of the
CSE and the CDS Mr. Vajira Kulatilaka said “Today marks a proud moment
as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. The CDS was set up through a
project by USAID and was at the time, a unique feature of the capital
market in the entire Asian region.
It has made sustained progress since and I believe that we are well
equipped to work towards the betterment of the Sri Lankan capital market
going forward.”

NDB CFO, Faizan Ozman, NDB Chairman, Ananda Atukorala, NDB
Director/CEO, Rajendra Theagarajah, CSE Chairman, Vajira
Kulatilaka, CSE Director, Moksevi Prelis and CSE COO, Renuke
Wijayawardhane at the Bell Ringing ceremony to commence
trading at the CSE for September. |
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