Leopard Capital Sri Lanka which is a joint venture between Orion Capital Partners in Sri Lanka and Leopard Capital of Hong Kong, announced the launch of a private equity fund with a fund size of US$ 100 million. The fund will focus on Sri Lankan companies in the growth phase, following the positive sentiment and optimism that is widespread in the country after the defeat of terrorism and the return of peace, the company said in a news release.

Mr. Ranjit Fernando, a former MD/CEO of National Development Bank and a business leader who is Chairman of United Motors and sits on several boards of quoted and unquoted companies said in an interview that as in Indochina, the end of the war here will catalyze many growth opportunities which a fund like this, as already demonstrated in Cambodia, could invest in.

He expected the post-war take-off to be significant for an economy of Sri Lanka’s size with available skills among the positive factors that will drive growth. Many projects including in tourism and infrastructure will be carefully looked at before funding decisions are taken.

Leopard Capital Sri Lanka has brought together a partnership of experienced Asian investment professionals with a number of years in fund management, investment banking, business consulting, and operations management. This dynamic collaboration of Asian expertise provides Leopard Capital with a sophisticated understanding of the region’s development trends and successful business models. The Group leverages its partners’ multi-disciplinary insights with local expertise to source unique deal flow.

Leopard Capital Hong Kong is a company Founded by Douglas Clayton. The Leopard Board consists of :

* Dr Marc Faber – Chairman

* Dr Jim Walker

* Mr Hienrich Looser

* Mr Rolf Jud

* Mr Richard H Leonard

In October 2009 Leopard Capital announced the planned 2010 launch of Leopard Sri Lanka Fund LP (for private equity), and Leopard Sri Lanka Value Fund (for public equity).

After several decades of civil war, peace has finally returned to the beautiful island of Sri Lanka, and a new investment cycle and growth upswing has begun. Leopard Sri Lanka Fund will provide expansion capital and strategic guidance to mid-market Sri Lankan companies, and also help some expand their businesses into other frontier economies

Leopard Sri Lanka’s Focus will be to:

•Build a diversified portfolio of leading businesses in key sectors such as tourism, retailing, food processing, infrastructure, financial services, and property development.

• Partner with experienced foreign operators and/or local groups.

• Assist portfolio companies with corporate governance, business strategy, introductions, and recruitment.

• Exit investments via stock market listings or sales to investment partners, strategic investors, or other investment funds

Mr Ranjith Fernando is the Chairman of the Leopard Sri Lanka Fund. Fernando is the Chairman of United Motors and sits on the Boards of many corporate establishments in Sri Lanka including Commercial Bank and Piramal Glass. During his tenure at NDB Mr Fernando played a pivotal role in developing the venture capital industry in Sri Lanka by promoting NDB Ventures and later promoting Ayojana. He brings a wealth of commercial and investment experience to the team at Leopard.

Leopard Sri Lanka is led by Nirosh De Silva and is ably assisted by G Ramanan who recently left a banking career to help build Leopard Sri Lanka.

Nirosh de Silva has 17 years’ experience in Sri Lankan Capital Markets, with experience in Investment Banking and Private Equity. In 2002 he set up an advisory practice in Change Management and Corporate Restructuring and partnered in building a fund management business. Both businesses have an impressive track record of building Shareholder/Investor Value. He has a BA in Economics and Business Management and is a CFA.

G Ramanan started his carrier in business consultancy. He also gained significant experience in investment management during his stint as an Investment Manager at a leading insurer. From there he moved to investment banking at a leading private sector commercial bank in Sri Lanka. During his tenure at the bank he played a lead role in assisting several quoted companies unlock shareholder value by making shareholder and management changes. Ramanan has a total of 17 years of industry experience in Sri Lanka. He is an associate member of CIMA(UK), a CFA charter holder and obtained his MBA from the University of Chicago.

To coincide with the launch of Leopard Capital Sri Lanka, an investment forum has been organized to introduce Sri Lanka to potential investors. The inaugural Leopard Sri Lanka Investment Forum 2009 to be held on 20 and 21 November will showcase the country’s potential growth sectors. The conference will also feature some of Sri Lanka’s leading foreign investors who invested in Sri Lanka during its difficult times but nevertheless achieved significant upside.