Sri Jayewardenepura University teams’ shine at CFA Institute Research Challenge Sri Lanka 2022
Winning team leader Dulanja Gamanayake accepts the trophy from Dinesh Warusavitharana. Also pictured are Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Ashan Kottagoda, Sapna Ravishika, Malik Nazahim, Sachinthi Wirasinha, Abehitha Fernando, Tharinda Jayawardana, Samalka Athuraliya, and 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 15thannual 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,” said CFA 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. Research Challenge Committee Chair Samalka Athuraliya said that 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 the Americas. 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 25th February this year. They presented their final analysis to an eminent panel of judges; NDB Capital Holdings Limited CEO Senaka Kakiriwaragodage, PwC Sri Lanka Head of Capital Projects Ruvini Fernando, and A. Stotz Investment Research Thailand CEO Dr Andrew Stotz. The winning team (Sri Jayawardenapura University) 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.