CFA Society Sri Lanka celebrates excellence at Capital Market Awards 2025

CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards 2025 winners with Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka Chairman Senior Professor Hareendra Dissabandara, Colombo Stock Exchange Chairman Dimuthu Abeyesekera, and CFA Society Sri Lanka President Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA, at the event

The 12th annual CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards, which recognises and rewards excellence in the local capital markets, was held on Tuesday, 24 June, at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, Sri Lanka. 

The event was graced by Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) Chairman Senior Professor Hareendra Dissabandara and Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Chairman Dimuthu Abeyesekera. It also featured distinguished special invitees from across the industry, regulators, capital market professionals, and industry associations, among others.

Delivering the opening address at the event, CFA Society Sri Lanka President Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA, stated: “In an environment where capital markets are constantly evolving—driven by regulatory shifts, technological advancements, and global dynamics—research teams and listed entities face the growing challenge of meeting rising stakeholder expectations. Delivering high-quality insights, maintaining robust processes, and ensuring relevance in such a dynamic landscape requires a balance of adaptability, depth, and discipline. These awards honour those who not only excel in these areas but also lead the way in shaping a more resilient and forward-looking ecosystem.”

The CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards were presented under the categories of Best Stockbroking Research Team, Best Equity Research Report, Best Sector Research Report, Best Investor Relations, Best Unit Trust Fund, and Best Sustainability Reporting, with awards for Gold, Silver and Bronze in each category respectively.

Asia Securities Ltd. was awarded the Ravi Abeysuriya Memorial Award (Gold) for the Best Stockbroking Research Team, while the Gold for the Best Sector Research Report was awarded to Kugaprasath Tilakaratnam and Sachintha Siriwardene of CT CLSA Securities Ltd. Sunshine Holdings PLC was conferred Gold for Best Investor Relations in the Mid-to-Large Cap Companies category, while hSenid Business Solutions PLC won the Best Investor Relations award in the Small Cap Companies category. Meanwhile, Senfin Money Market Fund came out on top as the Best Unit Trust Fund. The Gold award for the Best Equity Research Report and Best Sustainability Reporting was not awarded this year.

In the Best Stockbroking Research Team category, CT CLSA Securities Ltd. was awarded Bronze, while the Silver was not awarded. In the Best Sector Report category, Chamika Nanayakkara of Softlogic Stockbrokers Ltd. was awarded the Silver, while the Bronze was not awarded. 

The joint Silver award for the Best Equity Research Report was given to Maheshi Wattegedera of Bartleet Religare Securities Ltd. and Manusha Kandanaarachchi of First Capital Equities Ltd., while the joint Bronze award went to Hilal Zainudeen and Samadhi Rajapaksa of Asia Securities Ltd., and Heshan Chamika of Bartleet Religare Securities Ltd. 

In the Investor Relations Mid-to-Large Cap Companies category, Silver was won by Hemas Holdings, with John Keells Holdings PLC being awarded the Bronze. CT CLSA High Yield Fund won the Silver award in the Best Unit Trust Fund category, while the Bronze was awarded to First Capital Money Market Fund. Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC was presented with the Silver award in the Best Sustainability Reporting category, while Dialog Axiata PLC and Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC were adjudged joint winners for the Bronze award.

As part of a refreshed format at this year’s CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards, the traditional panel discussion took the form of an engaging fireside chat, designed to offer an insightful conversation on market dynamics and economic outlooks, amalgamated with the annual Forecast Quiz. The session brought together expert voices and sharp analysis from Advocata Institute Chief Executive Officer Dhananath Fernando and Frontier Research Head of Macroeconomic Advisory Chayu Damsinghe as panellists.

The vote of thanks was delivered by CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards Chair Eneeshya Perera, CFA, who acknowledged the many stakeholders who came together to make the event a success.  She noted: “To all award winners, congratulations on your well-deserved recognition. Your commitment to excellence sets a benchmark for the industry. To all participants, your efforts are a vital part of the journey, and we commend your ongoing dedication. Let us carry forward the spirit of collaboration and excellence that has defined this evening, and together, let’s strive to build a capital market that is inclusive, resilient, and driven by the highest standards.”

The CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards 2025 was sponsored by the Colombo Stock Exchange (Platinum Sponsor), Deloitte Sri Lanka and First Capital Holdings PLC (Gold Sponsors), Capital Alliance Holdings Ltd., CT CLSA Securities, HNB Investment Bank, NDB Capital Holdings, Senfin Asset Management, and Uzabase Sri Lanka (Silver Sponsors).

Furthermore, the event was supported by Acuity Knowledge Partners (Knowledge Partner), Hatton National Bank PLC (Banking Partner), Sarva Colombo (Creative Partner), Daily FT, Daily Mirror and The Sunday Times (Print Media Partners), LMD (Magazine Partner), TextWare (Text Messaging Partner), Alpha Business School (Candidate Resource Partner) and EduLoan (Supporting Partner).