In a bid to broaden capital market investment and expand financial inclusion, the government introduced a novel initiative to directly engage youth and small businesses in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) as part of the 2027 Economic Transformation Budget proposals.

Highlighting that active individual traders currently account for merely 0.7 percent of Sri Lanka's adult population over 18 years of age, the budget outlines a strategic plan to cultivate an investment culture across the island.

Encouraging Investment through the Capital Market 

• At present, the number of persons actively trading in connection with the Colombo Stock Exchange is only around 0.7 percent of the population over 18 years of age. Therefore, it is proposed to implement a new programme named "A Share for Everyone" under the vision "Let's Know, Let's Learn, Let's Invest". With the aim of actively connecting students in schools who are studying for the Advanced Level in Grade 13 and are over 18 years of age with the stock market, it is proposed to introduce the project to provide a share portfolio subject to a maximum of Rs. 10,000/-, in accordance with a formal selection procedure.
• It is proposed to introduce a mechanism to encourage the listing on the stock market of small and medium-scale enterprises (SME Listing Support Mechanism), which makes a significant contribution to the economy and job creation.
• For the above proposals, the Colombo Stock Exchange will deploy Rs. 250 million, and it is proposed to allocate an additional Rs. 500 million for this purpose.