According to the 2027 Budget proposals, steps have been taken to provide school students over the age of 18 with an opportunity to invest in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), said Niroshan Wijesundara, Senior Vice President (Marketing) of the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Speaking at a media briefing, he stated that the primary objectives of the programme are to develop students' basic knowledge of the stock market and equip them with the financial literacy necessary to become successful entrepreneurs in the future.

Accordingly, Grade 13 students aged 18 and above will be eligible to apply for the programme.

Applicants will be required to complete a course introduced by the Colombo Stock Exchange and pass a subsequent examination. Upon successful completion, each student will receive an investment opportunity worth Rs. 10,000, he said.

Noting that Rs. 500 million has been allocated for the programme, Wijesundara said the initiative would not be limited to urban schools, as efforts would also be made to extend the opportunity to students in rural and underprivileged schools.

He further explained that another objective of the programme is to provide students with a practical understanding of the stock market, laying the foundation for them to build wealth in the future and raise capital through the Colombo Stock Exchange when they eventually become entrepreneurs.