The 13th edition of the CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards was held on 10 September 2026 at the Oak Room, Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. It continues to serve as the Society’s flagship platform for recognizing and celebrating excellence across Sri Lanka’s capital markets, with the Awards showcasing the highest standards of professionalism and industry best practices.
This year’s event was graced by the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) Senior Professor Hareendra Dissabandara, and the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) Dimuthu Abeyesekera. The event was also attended by Reseena Abdullah, Regional Director, Society Relations-APAC, CFA Institute. Moreover, the CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards featured distinguished special invitees including regulators, capital market professionals, and industry associations.
The opening address was delivered by Rashmi Peiris Paranavitane, CFA – President, CFA Society Sri Lanka, who noted: “Sri Lanka’s capital markets are operating in an increasingly complex environment, shaped not only by economic and regulatory developments, but also by artificial intelligence, geopolitical shifts, and rapidly changing sources of information.”
“In this environment, the ability to interpret complexity, exercise sound judgement, communicate with clarity, and uphold high standards has become more important than ever. These awards recognize those who demonstrate such excellence—raising the quality of market insight, strengthening investor confidence, and contributing to the continued development of Sri Lanka’s capital markets,” she added.
Simon Ng, CFA – who serves as APAC South Presidents Council Representative, CFA Institute – delivered the keynote speech at the 2026 edition of the CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards.
He highlighted the role of the capital markets, stating that they “should not be viewed as a reward that comes after economic recovery—they should be an engine of it.”
“Sri Lanka has an opportunity to build deeper and more sophisticated markets that mobilize domestic savings, attract foreign capital, and finance businesses, infrastructure and innovation. Realizing that opportunity will require strong institutions, high professional standards, investor confidence and a willingness to continually evolve with the needs of the economy,” he remarked.
The CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards were presented under the categories of Best Equity Research Report, Best Stockbroking Research Team, Best Sector Report, Best Investor Relations Award and Best Unit Trust Fund, with awards for Gold, Silver and Bronze in each category respectively.
Hemas Holdings PLC was conferred Gold for the Best Investor Relations Award 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. Senfin Money Market Fund came out on top as the Best Unit Trust Fund. Gold for the Best Sector Report was awarded to Heshan Chamika at Bartleet Religare Securities (Pvt) Ltd. Meanwhile, the Gold award for the Best Equity Research Report was awarded to Sachintha Siriwardena of CT Smith Securities (Pvt) Ltd. The Gold award for the Best Stockbroking Research Team was not awarded.
In the Investor Relations Mid-to-Large Cap Companies category, Silver was won by Sunshine Holdings PLC, with John Keells Holdings PLC being awarded the Bronze. CT Smith Equity Fund won the Silver award in the Best Unit Trust Fund category, while the Bronze was awarded to First Capital Money Market Fund.
In the Best Stockbroking Research Team category, Asia Securities (Pvt) Ltd and First Capital Holdings PLC were both awarded the Silver, while the Bronze went to CT Smith Securities (Pvt) Ltd. In the Best Sector Report category, Lakshika Kodagoda of Softlogic Stockbrokers (Pvt) Ltd was awarded the Silver, while the Bronze was awarded to Salaama Sanoon of First Capital Holdings PLC.
The Silver award for the Best Equity Research Report was presented to Sakuna Thennakoon of Asia Securities (Pvt) Ltd, while the Bronze award went to Asela Sandaruwan of Bartleet Religare Securities (Pvt) Ltd.
CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards Project Chairperson Kithma Gamalath, CFA, delivered the vote of thanks at the event, in acknowledgement of the contribution made by all stakeholders towards the success of the 2026 awards.
She noted: “I take this opportunity to congratulate the award recipients, whose hard work and dedication continue to help elevate standards in the local capital markets. I also wish to extend my sincere appreciation to our distinguished panel of judges, comprising CFA charterholders and industry experts, for their diligence and meticulousness in selecting this year’s award winners. We look forward to the continued commitment and support of all industry participants in maintaining Sri Lanka’s capital market excellence going forward as well.”
The CFA Society Sri Lanka Capital Market Awards 2026 was proudly sponsored by the Colombo Stock Exchange (Platinum Sponsor), Deloitte Sri Lanka and First Capital Holdings PLC (Gold Sponsors), Capital Alliance Holdings Ltd, CT Smith Holdings, HNB Investment Bank, NDB Capital Holdings, Senfin Asset Management, and Uzabase Sri Lanka (Silver Sponsors).
This year’s event was also supported by Acuity Analytics (Knowledge Partner), Hatton National Bank PLC (Banking Partner), Sarva Colombo (Creative Partner), Daily FT, Daily Mirror and The Sunday Times (Print Media Partners), TextWare (Text Messaging Partner), and Alpha Business School (Candidate Resource Partner).
CFA Institute is the global association of investment professionals that sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials with more than 200,000 charterholders worldwide across 160 markets. Founded in 2001, CFA Society Sri Lanka is a not-for-profit organization supporting the professional development and advancement of CFA charterholders and candidates in Sri Lanka. Its membership of over 250 members consists of CEOs, CFOs, portfolio managers, equity analysts, banking professionals, investment advisors and other senior-ranking financial practitioners, and about 500 candidates, primarily from the financial sector.
