The competition was officially inaugurated recently at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) bringing together university students, senior university representatives and industry mentors.
The Research Challenge is a prestigious annual global competition that provides university students with comprehensive training and hands-on mentoring in financial analysis, research, valuation and ethics.
This year, the competition has drawn an impressive response, with 38 applications received from undergraduate teams across the island, of which 27 teams qualified following the pre-screening round.
The growing participation highlights the increasing recognition of the Challenge as a platform that bridges academic learning with real-world financial industry experience.
In the local leg of the competition, teams comprising three to five students from Sri Lanka’s leading public and private universities will prepare a detailed equity research report on a designated publicly listed company.
The top four teams will advance to the local finals, where they will present their findings to a distinguished panel of judges, competing for a place in the Asia Sub-Regional round.
The journey will culminate at the Global Final, scheduled for May 2026.
Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA, President of CFA Society Sri Lanka, expressed her pride in continuing this legacy, stating:
"We are honored to host the CFA Institute Research Challenge for the 19th consecutive year.
This global competition provides Sri Lankan students with a unique opportunity to demonstrate their skills in equity research, report writing, and presentation on an international stage.
It equips them with the technical expertise, ethical foundation, and confidence to become tomorrow’s leaders in the finance profession."
Vijith Karunaratne, CFA, Chair of the CFA Institute Research Challenge Sri Lanka 2025/26, highlighted the challenge’s academic and professional value:
"The Research Challenge is more than a competition; it is an intensive learning experience.
Students benefit from mentorship by industry professionals and guidance from faculty advisors, working on the in-depth
analysis of a listed company. They produce a comprehensive research report and present their analysis and recommendations to a panel of senior industry practitioners.
This process replicates the standards of professional equity research and prepares participants for their future careers in the financial industry."
Vindhya Jayasekera, CEO Designate of the CSE, lauded the competition for honing the competitors’ core competencies in the financial market and demonstrated the CSE’s commitment to cultivating the next generation by offering internships to the competition's winners:
“Each student is tested on their analytical ability, valuation techniques, report writing, and presentation skills.
These are precisely the competencies that lay the foundation for a career in investment research and finance.
Many of you will find that this experience opens doors to internships, career opportunities, and long-lasting professional networks.
To strengthen that pathway, the CSE has made arrangements to offer internships for the winning team members, ensuring that this experience translates into real opportunities in the capital market. “
Aruna Alwis, CEO of CFA Society Sri Lanka, emphasized the global reach of the competition, noting:
"The CFA Institute Research Challenge continues to expand globally each year, engaging over 6,700 students from more than 1,000 universities across nearly 100 countries, supported by 150 CFA Societies worldwide.
Sri Lanka has been an active contributor to this global movement for nearly two decades, providing our students with the opportunity to shine on an international platform. It is inspiring to witness their growth, professionalism, and commitment to excellence."
The CFA Institute Research Challenge has become a benchmark initiative for grooming the next generation of investment professionals, enabling students to apply their classroom learning to real-world scenarios while upholding the principles of ethics and integrity.
The 2025/26 competition promises yet another year of showcasing Sri Lankan talent on the global financial stage.
Photo Captions Left to Right Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA President, CFA Society Sri Lanka, Vindhya Jayasekera, CEO Designate of the CSE, Vijith Karunaratne, CFA – Chair of the CFA Institute Research Challenge Sri Lanka and Aruna Alwis, CEO, CFA Society Sri Lanka