University Investment Day 2016

The Department of Finance organized the “University Investment Day 2016” on the 25th of October 2016 at the Fayol Hall of Soratha Building from 2.00 pm to 7.00 pm. That was the second consecutive time that the Department of Finance held this event with the main intention of creating awareness regarding the capital markets of Sri Lanka and formulating an investment community not restricted to the university boundaries.

The Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, Dr. U. Anura Kumara, graced the occasion with the Head of the Department of Finance, Professor Hareendra Dissabandara, Senior Professor Abeyrathna Bandara, lecturers of the Department of Finance and various resource persons of the industry.

Senior Professor Abeyrathna Bandara, delivered the welcome address to a jammed packed crowd stressing the importance of the practical exposure for undergraduates to develop their careers. Next segment of the event was the guest lectures from the experts from finance industry. Mr. Nishantha Hewavithana, Head of Research and New Products, Colombo Stock Exchange started the proceedings with his presentation on the ”Role of CSE as the market operator”. Next presentation was made by Mr. Tushara Jayaratne, Director, External Relations and Surveillance, Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka on “Securities regulation and the role of SEC”. Then, Mr. K.C. Vignarajah, a renowned investor in the capital markets of Sri Lanka shared his thoughts as “an experienced investor in the capital markets of Sri Lanka”. Then, Mr. P. Asokan, former CEO, Comtrust Asset Management (Pvt) Ltd, addressed the gathering on the “Role and experience of a fund manager with regard to investing in Sri Lanka”. The last presentation was made by Mr. Takshila Hulangamuwa, Vice President – Business Developments, Asha Phillip Securities Limited, through which he shared his thoughts on the”Role of a stock broker”.

After the presentations from the panel of experts, the next segment of the agenda, the interactive Q & A session moderated by Prof. Hareendra Dissabandara started. During this session, the panel of experts from the industry answered the questions from the audience. The students exhibited a praiseworthy interest of the areas discussed and the experts also appreciated the eagerness of the students.

Penultimate session of the programme was the awarding of plaques to the panel of experts from the industry as a token of appreciation. The plaques were distributed by Prof. Hareendra Dissabandara.

CDS accounting opening session by Asha Phillip Securities Limited marked the conclusion of the “University Investment Day 2016”, which undoubtedly marked the continuation of a series of events organized by the Department of Finance , that would link the university with the finance industry of Sri Lanka.