Team A – University of Sri Jayewardenepura wins CFA Sri Lanka Research Challenge 2022/23
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a global competition that tests the equity research and valuation, investment report writing, and presentation skills of university students. For the 16th consecutive year CFA Sri Lanka Society organized the Sri Lanka Research Challenge and the event was sponsored by the Society’s Platinum sponsor, the Colombo Stock Exchange, Silver sponsors; Acuity Partners, CAL, First Capital, NDB Capital Holdings, Senfin and Uzabase, Knowledge Partner; Acuity Knowledge Partners and event sponsor; Kaplan Schweser. Fifteen teams from state universities and non-state took part in the preliminary round of this completion since September 2022 which primarily emphasized on in-depth analysis and valuation of BPPL Holdings PLC. These investment reports of the teams were evaluated and scored by a panel of expert CFA Charterholders and the top four teams of the preliminary round presented their research to an eminent panel of judges from top financial institutions; Fitch Ratings Lanka Director CFA Nadika Ranasinghe, CAL Chief Strategist CFA Udeeshan Jonas and A. Stotz Investment Research, Thailand CEO CFA Dr. Andrew Stotz. followed by a Q&A session at the Local Finals of this challenge held on 27th February 2020 virtually.
The team of five third-year undergraduates of Department of Finance representing University of Sri Jayewardenepura became the Champions at the Local Finals. The team members are Oshan Brahmanage (Team leader), Yashan Samarakoon, Malithi Jayaratne, Hashini Siriwardena, and Mahee Silva. The team was guided by the industry mentor – CFA Charterholder – Mr. Tharinda Jayawardena, of TWCorp (Pvt) Ltd. and the faculty advisor – Ms. Ruwangi Mahanamahewa, Lecturer of Department of Finance throughout the challenge. The trophies to the winning team and runners-up were presented to them at the Colombo Stock Exchange and the occasion was graced by Colombo Stock Exchange CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, CFA Society Sri Lanka President CFA Aruna Perera, CFA Society Sri Lanka Vice President CFA Rashmi Paranavitane, CFA Society Sri Lanka Candidate Outreach Committee Chairman Travis Gomes, CFA Society Sri Lanka Co-Chair Research Challenge Committee CFA Eneeshya Perera, CFA Society Sri Lanka CEO Aruna Alwis, SLRC Committee members and mentors of the teams.
The winning team advanced to the Asia Pacific Sub-Regional Challenge scheduled to be held on 7th March 2023 virtually.
