CFA Society Sri Lanka announced the selection of the top four teams for the local finals of the 2024/25 edition of the CFA Institute Research Challenge competition.
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.
