CSE Milestone: CDS Accounts Surpass 1 Million Mark 📈

The Central Depository Systems Ltd. (CDS), a subsidiary of the Colombo Stock Exchange, has officially crossed the 1 million registered accounts milestone ahead of its 35th anniversary this September. • Market Expansion: The threshold reflects aggressive broad-basing of the retail investor market over the last 5 years, driven by the comprehensive digitalisation of the CSE. • Digital Adoption: Growth is attributed to tools like the CSE Mobile App and the CDS eConnect portal, which shifted the market from paperwork-heavy processes to seamless, real-time digital access. • Asset Security: Following a major dematerialisation drive, the CDS now holds 97% of listed equity and 100% of corporate debt in scripless (electronic) form, virtually eliminating risks related to physical certificates. • Diversification: Beyond its core depository role, the Corporate Solutions Unit (CSU) now manages registrar services, Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), and dividend distributions for both listed and unlisted companies. • Future Outlook: A newly formed Research and Development (R&D) unit is tasked with fostering international collaborations and adapting to global financial sector evolutions. This achievement underscores the resilience of Sri Lanka’s capital market infrastructure and its transition into a modern, investor-friendly ecosystem.