University of Kelaniya’s Department of Finance celebrates 15th anniversary on CSE Trading Floor

University of Kelaniya Head of the Department of Finance Dr. Ruwan Wijesinghe rings the bell at the CSE. Others from left University of Kelaniya Department of Finance Prof. Ruwani Fernando, CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, University of Kelaniya Dean – Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies Dr. S.C. Thushara, University of Kelaniya’s Prof. Narada Fernando, Prof. Ruwan Abeysekera and Sen. Prof. Susima Weligamage are also present

The Department of Finance of the Faculty of Commerce and Management Studies of the University of Kelaniya commemorated its 15th anniversary by ringing the Market Opening Bell on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) trading floor on 24 June, marking its years of contribution to fostering successive generations of Sri Lankan financial specialists, investment professional and corporates.

The Department of Finance of the University of Kelaniya, established in 2011 as the universities dedicated department to capitalise upon the success of the Bachelor of Business Management (Honours) Degree in Finance in 2004 and the Finance Unit in 2008. Over the course of the past 15 years the Department has achieved several milestones in cultivating the academic and corporate world of finance. 

In 2013 the Department launched the Student Research Symposium (SRS) to foster up-and-coming researchers and a strong research culture, and ‘Investment Week’ in collaboration with the Finance Students’ Association. In 2013, the Department of Finance marked a milestone in Sri Lanka’s higher education system by becoming the first academic department to receive recognition from the CFA Institute for Bachelor of Business Management (Honours) Degree in Finance. In 2016 the Department address evolving needs with the introduction of three specialised honours degree programs; B.B.Mgt (Hons) in Banking, B.B.Mgt (Hons) in Insurance, B.B.Mgt (Hons) in Financial Engineering. Later, B.B.Mgt (Hons) in Financial Engineering also became a CFA Affiliated Program under the CFA Institute.  

The Department had launched the South Asian Finance Journal of finance in 2021, received the ISO 9001:2015 Certification from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution and establishing a Financial Literacy Centre in 2022. In 2023, introduced a Master of Professional Finance program that also secured CFA affiliation. Growth continued into 2024 with a structured student mentoring program, followed by landmark achievements in 2025 including a strategic partnership with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to boost national financial literacy and the launch of specialised short courses in Professional Investment Analysis Program (PIAP), offered in collaboration with KPMG Sri Lanka and Professional Fund Management Program (PFMP), conducted with First Capital Asset Management Ltd.

Speaking at the ceremony University of Kelaniya Head of the Department of Finance Dr. Ruwan Wijesinghe said: “As the bell marks the opening of new opportunities in the capital market, it also symbolises our enduring commitment to advancing financial literacy, fostering informed investment decisions, and developing ethical finance professionals who contribute to sustainable economic development.”

CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike said: “ We congratulate the Department of Finance on the 15th Anniversary. We believe that a vibrant capital market depends on knowledgeable, ethical professionals, and in this regard, the Department has been a partner in nurturing talent that supports Sri Lanka’s financial ecosystem.”