CFA Society Sri Lanka to celebrate capital markets excellence on 18 June

CFA President Aruna Perera addresses a media briefing on Wednesday. Others from left: Deloitte Sri Lanka and Maldives Financial Advisory Services leader Ruvini Fernando, Colombo Stock Exchange Chairman Dilshan Wirasekera, CFA Vice President Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA-Capital Market Awards Committee 2024 Chair Samalka Athuraliya and CFA Society Sri Lanka CEO Aruna Alwis at the Press conference - Pic by Upul Abayasekara

Now marking its 11th year, the much-anticipated annual CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 18 June, at the Oak Room, Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. 

A signature event in the CFA Society Sri Lanka calendar since its inception in 2012, CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards is among the most sought-after accolades that recognises and rewards excellence in the local capital markets.

Held under the theme of ‘The Power of Public-Private Partnerships’, this year’s event will focus on the current status of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Sri Lanka and their future potential. The discussion on the theme will also draw from the country’s past experiences in handling PPPs, and the role of the private sector, as well as learnings from a regional perspective.

CFA Society Sri Lanka President Aruna Perera , offers his insights on the local capital markets domain: “The recently witnessed migration of skilled professionals due to economic conditions in the country has led to a notable skills gap in the research industry. With more experienced talent exiting the market, new entrants may also not be receiving the adequate training required to understand the nuances of the research industry and produce high-quality research as expected. Therefore, it is imperative that both the industry and institutions such as ourselves take the lead in improving the skills of the new research talent, as well as uplift the quality of research. Set against this backdrop, I believe CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards provides analysts with a benchmark on which they can improve.” 

He also highlighted: “the need for investors to make informed clinical and rational decisions, which is more important than ever,” while adding: “As such, timely and regular research will compel both institutional and even retail investors to consider research more seriously.”

Reflecting on the impact of the awards, CFA Society Sri Lanka CEO Aruna Alwis, notes: “The CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards bring together stockbrokers, analysts, CFA charter-holders, senior management of listed companies and regulators. There is no doubt that this signature event of the CFA Society Sri Lanka calendar has helped uplift industry excellence and investment research standards in the country.” “I offer my best wishes to all of the applicants at this most looked forward to event in Sri Lanka’s capital markets industry,” he added.

CFA Society Sri Lanka Project Chairperson of Capital Market Awards 2024 Samalka Athuraliya, states: “CFA Society Sri Lanka continues to play an integral part in developing our capital markets and promoting international best practices – as evident in the introduction of a new award category for ESG reporting.”

She continues: “CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards is our flagship event, through which we strive to improve the quality, ethical and professional standards of market participants. We also look forward to an insightful panel discussion on a timely and highly relevant topic for Sri Lanka, ‘The Power of Public-Private Partnerships’.”

The awards will be presented under the categories of Best Equity Research Team, Best Equity Research Report, Best Sector Report, Best Investor Relations Team, Best Unit Trust Team, as well as the Best ESG Reporting Award, with awards for Gold, Silver and Bronze in each category respectively. 

The Best ESG Reporting Award is being awarded for the first time at the CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards this year, to recognise the top listed companies in Sri Lanka that have demonstrated a commitment to creating a positive impact in the areas of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), and have adopted best practices in ESG reporting and disclosures.

A carefully selected panel consisting of both CFA charter-holders as well as industry experts are entrusted with judging the CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards.