SEC reaffirms strong support for CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards

The eagerly anticipated 12th annual CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards is scheduled to be held on 24 June, at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams. It has been a flagship event in the CFA Society Sri Lanka calendar since its inception in 2012, and is among the most sought-after accolades recognising and rewarding excellence in the local capital markets.

As in past editions, this year’s CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards also looks to provide insights from stakeholders spanning industry participants, and the capital market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC).

Within the local capital market sphere, the SEC is tasked with the duty of ensuring that the financial markets fulfil their fundamental purpose – i.e. capital formation, funding economic growth, and creating opportunities for investors and business alike.

The market regulator must also strike a balance between governance and dynamic market developments, and with the enactment of the new SEC Act in 2021, the SEC has significantly strengthened strategic reform work to uphold the integrity of the Sri Lankan capital markets. This landmark legislation is said to combat market misconduct more effectively, enshrining corporate governance standards and safeguarding investor protection and rights.

With a long-standing collaborative partnership, the SEC has continued to engage with CFA Society Sri Lanka throughout the past 20 years to uplift local capital markets. More recent collaborations include the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023, formalising a long-term partnership to support programs focused on investor protection and professional standards. Meanwhile, in 2022, a tripartite MoU was signed between the SEC, Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and CFA Society Sri Lanka with the aim of strengthening the environmental, social and governance (ESG) focus in the Sri Lankan capital markets.

SEC Chairman Senior Professor Hareendra Dissabandara said: “The CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards serve as a vital platform in fostering, acknowledging, and rewarding professionals who set benchmarks for excellence in our capital market industry. By celebrating those who adhere to strong standards in equity research, disclosure levels, corporate governance and investor relations, the awards have no doubt raised the bar for market participants.”

He adds, “It is encouraging to see strong and consistent participation from across the industry, including the unit trust sector, research analysts, and listed entities for investor relations and corporate governance reporting. This diversity reflects the growing recognition of the awards and their relevance across the capital market value chain. I hope to see even greater participation in the years ahead, as we continue to foster a culture of excellence and transparency in Sri Lanka’s capital markets.”

Prof. Dissabandara goes on to commend CFA Society Sri Lanka for organising the event and offers his congratulations to the award winners. He notes, “I extend my sincere congratulations to CFA Society Sri Lanka on hosting the Capital Market Awards for the 12th consecutive year — an initiative that continues to set a high standard for professionalism and research excellence within the capital markets. I trust that this year’s participants and winners will be inspired to keep striving for excellence, driving innovation, integrity, and long-term growth in Sri Lanka’s capital markets.”