The team from the University of Kelaniya emerged victorious at the grand finale of the prestigious CFA Institute Research Challenge Sri Lanka 2025/26. The final was held on Friday, February 27, at HNB Towers.

This year, four outstanding teams — SAB Campus of CA Sri Lanka, University of Colombo, University of Kelaniya, and University of Sri Jayewardenepura — demonstrated strong analytical capabilities while competing for the coveted title.

The teams conducted a comprehensive analysis of Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka PLC (the company behind the PickMe app) and presented their investment cases before a distinguished panel of judges comprising Dr. Buddhika Fernando, CFA, Assistant Director – Acuity Analytics; Nilendra Weerasinghe, CFA, Chief Strategy and Financial Officer – hSenid Business Solutions PLC; and Trisha Peries, CFA, Head of Research – Capital Alliance Group.

Senior Prof. Hareendra Dissabandara, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, alongside Jehan Jeyaratnam, Country Head of Acuity Analytics, who attended as the Guest of Honour. Other invitees representing the Colombo Stock Exchange, HNB PLC, universities, sponsors, partners, and members of the CFA society Sri Lanka were also in attendance.

The winning team, comprising Mohammed Faham (Team Leader), Amani Najumudeen, Lumini Liou, Poojani Bandara and Sithumi Medungoda was mentored by Savinda Fernando, CFA, and guided by Faculty Advisor Sandali Sudasinghe. The University of Colombo team C emerged as runners up in the competition. The team comprised Lochana Perera (Team Leader), Dion Gomes, Dewmi Chandrasiri, Kemini Suriyage and Subhanu Dissanayake supported by Tharindra Gooneratne, CFA, as Industry Mentor and Senani Thenuwara as Faculty Advisor.

For the second consecutive year, following strong nationwide participation from 27 teams, both the winning team and the runners-up team will represent Sri Lanka at the Sub-Regional stage of the competition, competing against teams from the APAC South region. The qualifying teams from the Sub-Regional round will then progress to the Asia-Pacific Regional Round, with the opportunity to compete at the Global Finals to be held in Hong Kong in May 2026.

Commenting on the significance of the initiative, Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA, President of CFA Society Sri Lanka, stated: “We are encouraged by the strong participation in this year’s competition. The CFA Institute Research Challenge provides students with a valuable opportunity to bridge academic theory with real-world investment analysis under the guidance of experienced industry mentors. It plays a vital role in preparing the next generation of investment professionals in Sri Lanka.”

Reflecting on the journey, the Team Leader of the winning team noted: “It’s not complicated. We stayed focused, we worked hard, and we got the win”

The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university teams with hands-on mentoring and training in financial analysis, valuation, and presentation skills. The competition attracts more than 6,000 students from 1,150 universities in nearly 100 countries each year.

The local leg of the competition was hosted by CFA Society Sri Lanka, with the Colombo Stock Exchange serving as Platinum Partner and HNB PLC as Banking and Venue Partner. Participants received structured training in equity research facilitated by Acuity Analytics, presentation skills training by Advi Academy, and technical analysis training supported by the Colombo Stock Exchange.