CFA Institute Research Challenge Sri Lanka 2022: University of Sri Jayewardenepura teams’ shine

The winning team leader Dulanja Gamanayake accepting the trophy from CFA Society Sri Lanka President Dinesh Warusavitharana together with CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike. Others in the picture from left: Ashan Kottagoda, Sapna Ravishika, Malik Nazahim, Sachinthi Wirasinha – Winning Team, University Mentor Abehitha Fernando, CFA - Industry Mentor Tharinda Jayawardana, CFA Sri Lanka Research Challenge committee Chairperson Samalka Athuraliya and CFA Society Sri Lanka CEO Aruna Alwis

CFA Society Sri Lanka is delighted to announce the four student teams of promising future financial professionals that have qualified as finalists in the local leg of the 15th annual CFA Institute Research Challenge held recently.

“The CFA Institute Research Challenge is a global competition that serves as a training ground for equity research and valuation, investment report writing and presentation skills of university students,” says CFA Society Sri Lanka President Dinesh Warusavitharana.  This challenge also promotes best practices in equity research among the next generation of analysts through hands-on mentoring and intensive training in company analysis and presentation skills.

Students were mentored by industry professionals who are also CFA charterholders. They underwent intensive training by Acuity Knowledge Partners this year as well on carrying out equity research, reporting, and arriving at a buy, hold, or sell recommendation on a publicly-traded company. This year, the subject company was Haycarb PLC.

CFA Society Sri Lanka Chair of the Research Challenge Committee Samalka Athuraliya said, “19 teams took part in the local competition this time and the winner at the local level will now advance to compete against teams within the region, namely Asia-Pacific.” She also added that the regional competitions are also held in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and America.  Winning teams at each region thereafter advance to compete at the global final competition. One team is designated the ultimate winner at the global level.

Four teams were shortlisted for the local finals which were held virtually on 25 February this year. They presented their final analysis to an eminent panel of judges; CFA Director/Chief Executive Officer of NDB Capital Holdings Ltd Senaka Kakiriwaragodage, PwC Sri Lanka Head of Capital Projects and Infrastructure and Deals Strategy Ruvini Fernando and CFA A. Stotz Investment Research in Thailand CEO Dr. Andrew Stotz.

University of Sri Jayewardenepura Team A emerged winners while University of Sri Jayewardenepura Team D were runners-up. The winning team was led by Dulanja Gamanayake and was accompanied by Ashan Kottagoda, Malik Nazahim, Sachinthi Wirasinha and Sapna Hewawasam.

This year, the initial round of the CFA Institute Research Challenge was hosted by the CFA Society Sri Lanka 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.