Following an extensive grading process, CFA Society Sri Lanka is pleased to announce that two teams from the University of Kelaniya and one team each from University of Colombo and University of Sri Jayewardenepura have qualified for the local finals, scheduled for 27th February 2025 at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Colombo.
Each university team, consisting of five students, will present their analysis and buy/sell/hold recommendations on the subject company, WindForce PLC, to a panel of distinguished judges from the investment community.
Their presentation marks the culmination of months of in-depth research, rigorous training and interviews with company management, guided by their faculty advisor and an assigned industry mentor.
The winners of the local finals will advance to the sub-regional competition, with the opportunity to progress further to the regional and global competitions.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge Global Final will take place in Chicago, USA in May 2025.
Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA, President of CFA Society Sri Lanka, stated:
I’m pleased to see the remarkable enthusiasm that this year’s competition has generated, with a record number of teams participating in this prestigious global competition.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge offers university students a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in equity research, financial modeling, and presentation skills, all while receiving mentorship from top industry professionals.
This exposure not only enhances students' technical expertise but also strengthens their ability to communicate complex financial analyses effectively.
By engaging both public and private universities, the competition is shaping the next generation of investment professionals in Sri Lanka.”
The teams that participated this year represented KIU Campus, NSBM Green University, Royal Institute of Colombo, University of Colombo, University of Jaffna, University of Kelaniya, University of Moratuwa, University of Peradeniya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Wayamba University of Sri Lanka.
Vijith Karunaratne, CFA, Chair of the Research Challenge Committee of CFA Society Sri Lanka, commented:
"It is inspiring to witness the increasing interest from universities in the CFA Institute Research Challenge.
This initiative goes beyond technical financial skills—it fosters critical thinking, ESG integration, and effective communication, which are essential for today’s investment professionals.
I look forward to seeing the top teams present their analysis at the final event and wish all participants success in their journey ahead."
This year, the CFA Institute Research Challenge in Sri Lanka is hosted by CFA Society Sri Lanka with the Colombo Stock Exchange being the Platinum sponsor, reaffirming its commitment to empowering the next generation of investment professionals.
About the CFA Institute Research Challenge
The CFA Institute Research Challenge gathers students, investment industry professionals, publicly traded companies, and corporate sponsors together locally, regionally, and globally for an annual competition.
In order to promote best practices in equity research and company analysis, students research, analyze, and report on a company as if they are practicing analysts.
Local CFA member societies and other affiliated groups host local-level competitions of the Research Challenge in conjunction with the participating universities.
The universities assemble teams of three to five business and finance students who work directly with a company in researching and preparing a company analysis.
The team’s final presentations are locally evaluated by a panel of high-profile Charterholders including heads of research, portfolio managers, and chief investment officers.
The local champions advance to regional competitions for the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and then to the Global Final, which will be held in Chicago, in May 2025.
Additional information on the Research Challenge is available on the CFA Institute website, www.cfainstitute.org/researchchallenge.
About CFA Society Sri Lanka
Founded in 2001, CFA Society Sri Lanka is a not-for-profit organization supporting the professional development and advancement of CFA charter holders and candidates in Sri Lanka.
Our membership of over 275 members consists of CEOs, CFOs, portfolio managers, equity analysts, banking professionals, investment advisors, and other senior-ranking financial practitioners and over 500 candidates, mainly in the financial sector.
About CFA Institute
CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials.
The organization is a champion of ethical behavior in investment markets and a respected source of knowledge in the global financial community.
Our aim is to create an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow.
There are more than 200,000 CFA charterholders worldwide in 163 countries and regions.
CFA Institute has nine offices worldwide and there are 154 local member societies.
For more information, visit www.cfainstitute.org or follow us on Twitter at @CFAInstitute and on Facebook.com/CFA Institute.
Photo Caption Left to Right Vijith Karunaratne, CFA Chairman, Research Challenge Committee CFA Society Sri Lanka 2024/2025 and Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA President, CFA Society Sri Lanka