John Keells Properties and John Keells Stock Brokers Bring Real Estate and Capital Markets Together at ‘The Investment Playbook’

John Keells Properties, in collaboration with John Keells Stock Brokers, hosted The Investment Playbook, an exclusive, invitation-only investment forum that brought together perspectives from real estate, equity markets and wealth management to explore how investors can build long-term wealth through a more diversified approach to investing.

Held on 29 October 2026 at The Residences at Cinnamon Life under the theme “The Investment Playbook - Rethinking Wealth Across Markets”, the forum challenged the conventional view of real estate and equities as competing investment choices, exploring instead how both asset classes can complement one another within a well-structured portfolio. Leading voices from the financial services and real estate sectors examined the economic forces shaping investment decisions, emerging opportunities within Sri Lanka’s capital markets, and the enduring role of property in long-term wealth creation.

The evening opened with a regional market outlook from Thilan Wickramasinghe, Head of Research and Regional Head of Financials at Maybank Investment Banking Group. Drawing on over two decades of experience across international financial institutions, Wickramasinghe offered a broader perspective on regional economic developments, interest rates and capital flows, and their implications for investors in Sri Lanka.

Navin Ratnayake, Head of Research at John Keells Stock Brokers, then turned to the relationship between equities and underlying real estate assets, examining the significance of land and property holdings within publicly listed companies and the importance of understanding underlying asset values when evaluating investment opportunities. His segment highlighted how investors can gain exposure to real estate both through direct property ownership and through the equity market.

This was followed by a panel discussion, led by Navin Ratnayake, featuring Nadeem Shums, Chief Commercial Officer of the John Keells Property Group and Senior Vice President of John Keells Holdings, and Asanka Herath, CEO of Unit Trusts and Head of Equities at LYNEAR Wealth. The panel explored the investment characteristics of equities and real estate, the factors influencing valuations, and the importance of balancing capital appreciation, income generation, liquidity and risk when making long-term investment decisions.

Commenting on the event, Nadeem Shums said: “Real estate has always played a significant role in how Sri Lankans create and preserve wealth. However, the conversation around property investment needs to evolve beyond simply purchasing an apartment or acquiring land. Investors today are increasingly looking at capital appreciation, rental income, location fundamentals and the long-term value of the assets they hold. At John Keells Properties, we believe that well-planned developments in strategic locations can play an important role in long-term wealth creation. Through events such as The Investment Playbook, we want to encourage investors to look at property within the context of their broader investment portfolios and make decisions based on a deeper understanding of value.”

Nithila Talgaswatte, Chief Executive Officer of John Keells Stock Brokers and Vice President of John Keells Holdings, added: “Successful investing is not necessarily about choosing one asset class over another. It is about understanding how different investments behave, the risks and opportunities they present, and how they can work together to achieve an individual’s financial objectives. Equities allow investors to participate in the growth of businesses, protect yourself with dividend yield and can also give exposure to underlying real estate owned by a listed company , while real estate offers tangible asset ownership, income potential and long-term value. By bringing these perspectives together, we hope to encourage a more holistic approach to investing, driven by research, diversification and long-term financial planning.”

The collaboration reflects a shared effort to encourage informed investment decisions by bringing together expertise from different segments of the investment landscape. For John Keells Properties, the initiative forms part of a broader commitment to engaging with investors beyond individual property transactions, creating space for meaningful conversations around investment strategy, market developments and long-term value. For John Keells Stock Brokers, it reinforces the importance of investment education, market research and informed decision-making in an increasingly dynamic financial landscape.

As economic conditions and financial markets continue to evolve, The Investment Playbook reinforced a central message: long-term wealth is not built by choosing between asset classes, but by understanding how each contributes to a broader investment strategy.

The evening concluded with an informal networking session, giving attendees the opportunity to engage with the speakers and continue the investment conversation.