CFA Society Sri Lanka Launches 20th CFA Institute Research Challenge Sri Lanka 2026/27
CFA Society Sri Lanka has officially launched the CFA Institute Research Challenge Sri Lanka 2026/27, marking the 20th consecutive edition of the prestigious global competition in Sri Lanka.
The official kick-off was held recently, at the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), bringing together participating university students, senior university representatives, faculty advisors, industry mentors and representatives of Sri Lanka’s investment profession.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis, equity research, valuation, report writing, presentation skills and professional ethics. Through the competition, students gain practical experience by assuming the role of research analysts and applying their academic knowledge to a real-world listed company.
Following a competitive pre-screening process, selected undergraduate teams representing leading state and non-state universities and higher education institutions across Sri Lanka have qualified to participate in this year’s local competition. The continued strong interest in the Challenge reflects its growing importance as a platform connecting academic learning with professional practice and creating pathways into Sri Lanka’s investment and financial services industry.
In the local leg of the competition, teams comprising three to five students will undertake an in-depth analysis of a designated publicly listed company and prepare a comprehensive equity research report incorporating financial analysis, valuation and an investment recommendation.
The highest-ranked teams will advance to the local finals, where they will present and defend their investment recommendations before a distinguished panel of senior investment professionals. The leading teams will have the opportunity to progress to the sub-regional and regional stages of the CFA Institute Research Challenge, with the journey culminating at the Global Final in May 2027.
Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA, President of CFA Society Sri Lanka, commenting on this year’s milestone, said:
“We are extremely proud to mark the 20th consecutive edition of the CFA Institute Research Challenge in Sri Lanka. Over the past two decades, the Challenge has provided generations of university students with an invaluable opportunity to develop and demonstrate their capabilities in investment research, valuation, report writing, presentation and ethical decision-making. More importantly, it has helped build a strong bridge between universities and the investment profession, contributing to the development of Sri Lanka’s future talent pipeline.”
Travis Gomez, CFA, Chair of the CFA Institute Research Challenge Sri Lanka 2026/27, highlighted the practical learning experience offered by the competition:
“The Research Challenge goes far beyond a university competition. It gives students an opportunity to experience the rigour and discipline expected of professional investment analysts. Working alongside faculty advisors and experienced industry mentors, participants are required to analyse a listed company in depth, develop a well-supported investment view, produce a professional research report and defend their conclusions before senior practitioners. It is an experience that develops not only technical capability, but also critical thinking, communication, teamwork and professional judgement.”
Rajeeva Bandaranaike, Chief Executive Officer of the Colombo Stock Exchange, commenting on the CSE’s continued association with the initiative, said:
“Developing a strong pipeline of knowledgeable, analytical and ethically grounded professionals is essential to the long-term development of Sri Lanka’s capital market. The CFA Institute Research Challenge provides students with valuable practical exposure to listed companies, financial markets and investment research while they are still at university. The Colombo Stock Exchange is pleased to continue supporting this important initiative and to contribute towards preparing the next generation of professionals who will participate in and strengthen our capital market.”
Aruna Alwis, CEO of CFA Society Sri Lanka, highlighted the international scale and relevance of the competition:
“The CFA Institute Research Challenge has grown into one of the world’s most recognised university-level investment research competitions. The 2025/26 global competition brought together more than 8,000 students from nearly 100 countries. Sri Lanka has proudly been part of this global initiative for two decades, providing our university students with an opportunity to benchmark themselves against global standards while gaining valuable exposure to CFA charterholders, investment professionals, employers and the broader capital market.”
Over its 20-year journey in Sri Lanka, the CFA Institute Research Challenge has become an important platform for developing future investment professionals. It enables students to move beyond classroom learning and apply financial analysis, valuation, research and communication skills in a professional setting, while placing strong emphasis on ethics, integrity and investment-industry best practices.
The CFA Institute Research Challenge Sri Lanka 2026/27 will continue this legacy by bringing together universities, students, CFA charterholders, industry mentors, employers and capital market stakeholders to develop the next generation of investment talent and strengthen the future of Sri Lanka’s investment profession.