About Us

The Central Depository Systems (Pvt) Limited (CDS) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and is licensed as a Market Intermediary and Clearing House by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC).

Incorporated on 30th August 1991, the CDS acts as a depository in respect of securities traded on the CSE and holds the securities in custody on behalf of shareholders of the listed companies.

Forming the interface between trading and post trading tasks, the CDS also performs the post trading functions of clearing and settlement.

In its diurnal operations the CDS interacts with 47 market participants comprised of 15 Member firms, 16 Trading Members and 16 Custodian Banks. In addition, for daily settlements, the CDS liaise with 3 settlement banks namely Sampath Bank PLC, Bank of Ceylon and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC.

The operational framework of the CDS is governed by the CDS Rules.

As an active member of the Asia-Pacific Central Securities Depository Group (ACG) the dynamic operational model of the CDS corresponds to internationally accepted practices.