Short version — practical 8-step plan for a beginner in Sri Lanka, plus what to know.

1. Decide your goals and risk profile

• Short-term safety (months → 1–2 years): bank savings/fixed deposits, Treasury bills.
• Medium/long term (3+ years): a mix of equities, mutual funds, government bonds.
• Know how much you can lose without hurting living expenses; set an emergency fund (3–6 months expenses).

2. Learn the basic investment options in Sri Lanka (what they are, typical use)

• Bank savings & fixed deposits — low risk, predictable interest; useful for emergency fund and capital preservation.
• Treasury bills & Treasury bonds — government securities; considered low risk and tradable; auctions and secondary market exist. (CBSL explains issuance and how to buy through banks/primary dealers). (cbsl.gov.lk)
• Stocks (Colombo Stock Exchange, CSE) — higher risk and return potential; buy through licensed brokers after opening a CDS securities account. The SEC gives a step‑by‑step for CDS account and broker rules. (sec.gov.lk)
• Unit trusts / mutual funds — professionally managed pooled funds (good for beginners who want diversification without picking stocks).
• Corporate debentures, sukuk — fixed income from corporates (higher yield, higher credit risk than government bonds).
• (If you are non‑resident) special rules apply for outward/inward investment accounts — check bank requirements and CBSL limits for non‑resident holdings. (cbsl.gov.lk)

3. How to start (step‑by‑step)

• Build a small emergency fund in a savings account.
• Open accounts you’ll need:
  • For stocks: open a CDS (Central Depository System) securities account via a licensed stockbroker or custodian bank; then open a trading account with that broker. You’ll need ID and proof of address. (sec.gov.lk)
  • For government securities: you can buy T‑bills/bonds via licensed banks, primary dealers or through brokers/secondary market — note auction minimums for primary market. (cbsl.gov.lk)
• Start small: buy a unit trust or a few blue‑chip shares rather than large concentrated bets.

4. Costs, minimums and practical details to watch

• CDS account opening and brokerage: small account fees may apply (some brokers list a CDS opening fee ~LKR 500; brokerage and statutory levies apply on trades). Check the broker’s fee schedule. (ndbs.lk)
• Treasury auction minimums: primary auctions historically have face‑value minimums (e.g., Rs. 5,000,000 for primary bids) though secondary market and brokers may allow smaller purchases — confirm with your broker or dealer. (cbsl.gov.lk)
• Transaction and custody charges: trading, CSE fees, CDS fees and taxes can reduce returns — check the full “all‑in” cost before trading. (ndbs.lk)

5. Tax and regulatory points (important)

• Dividend withholding tax, withholding on interest and certain capital gains rules apply. Tax rules change; current guides show different WHT rates by instrument (e.g., WHT on dividends and interest, taxes on gains for some instruments). Confirm present rates with Inland Revenue or your tax advisor before trading. (cal.lk)

6. Risk management & diversification

• Don’t concentrate in one stock/sector. Spread between cash, fixed income and equities according to your risk tolerance.
• Use stop‑loss orders cautiously; prefer long‑term investing for equities if you are a beginner.
• Be wary of high‑yield promises and unregulated schemes.

7. Practical checklist (what to do this week)

• Decide monthly investment amount and time horizon.
• Open a savings/fixed deposit account for your emergency fund.
• Contact 2–3 licensed stockbrokers, compare fees/platforms, and open a CDS account (ID + proof of address). (sec.gov.lk)
• Consider starting with a low‑cost unit trust or ETF‑like product (if available locally) and a short T‑bill ladder.
• Keep records for tax and monitor official sites: Central Bank (CBSL), Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

8. Ongoing: education and trusted help

• Read investor guides from SEC and CBSL; use broker research for company info. (sec.gov.lk)
• If unsure about tax or complex investments, consult a licensed financial advisor or tax professional in Sri Lanka.

Useful official sources to bookmark (for rates, auctions, rules)

• Central Bank of Sri Lanka – government securities & market info. (cbsl.gov.lk)
• Securities & Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka – investor guide and broker lists. (sec.gov.lk)
• Colombo Stock Exchange and licensed brokers (compare fees and platforms). (ndbs.lk)

A final note

• Markets, interest rates, taxes and auction rules can change. Before acting on yields, auction dates, minimums or tax rates, confirm the current figures and rules with your bank, broker, the CBSL/SEC websites or a local advisor. (If you want, I can look up current CSE trading hours, a list of licensed brokers near you, latest T‑bill yields, or typical brokerage fees now — tell me which and I’ll fetch the latest numbers.)

If you want, I can now:

• Find and compare 3 licensed brokers and their fees, or
• Pull today’s T‑bill yields and next auction date, or
• Show beginner‑friendly unit trusts available in Sri Lanka.