The Annual University Investment Day – 2019 of University of Sri Jayewardenepura, organized by the Department of Finance – Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce was held on 17th of June 2019 at the K.A.Munasinghe Hall of Soratha Building from 2pm to 7pm. The annual event was organized for the 4th consecutive year with the main objective of formulating an investment community not restricted to university boundaries.
The Occasion was graced with the valuable presence of the Chief Guest Senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunge – Vice Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Guest of Honour Mr. Vajira Wijegunawardane – Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, Dr. U. Anura Kumara – Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce with the Head, Dr. P. A. N. S. Anuradha, the Lecture panel of the Department of Finance and the Lecturers from other departments of the faculty.
Mr. Tushara Jayaratne – Director, External Relations and Surveillance, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Sri Lanka, Mr. Nishantha Hewavithana – Head of Research and New Products, Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), Mr. Sumith Perera – Head of Portfolio Management, Ceylon Guardian Investment Trust PLC, Mr. Amal Sanderatne – Representative of CFA society of Sri Lanka and Mr. Yasas Wijethunga – Research Manager, CT CLSA Securities (Pvt.) Ltd were the keynote speakers for the five sessions of the event.
As the pre-event presentation, the undergraduates of the Department of Finance presented a debate on the capital market under the theme – “Capital Market provides equal opportunities and fair platform for all the investors”. The two teams were evaluated by the senior academic staff of the department as well as the industry representatives who were present on the day. It was a good platform for the students to share their knowledge and also opened up a good conversation to the keynote speakers during their speeches.
Key note speakers delivered their speeches under the following areas;
- Role of CSE as the market operator – Mr. Nishantha Hewavithana
- Securities Regulation and the role of SEC – Mr. Tushara Jayaratne
- How we approach forecasting and making predictions – Mr. Amal Sanderatne
- Equity Research and the role of a stockbroker in investing in the capital market of Sri Lanka – Mr. Yasas Wijethunga
- Role and experience of a fund manager with regard to investing in Sri Lanka – Mr. Sumith Perera
End of the presentations, all the speakers were invited to a panel discussion moderated by Mr.Nichula Witharana, CFA Member, Alumni Member of Department of Finance. The students participated in this session very actively and ask questions from the panelists on different areas of capital market developments in Sri Lanka. During the interactive session, the panel of financial experts shared their knowledge along with the discussion on the current trends and developments of the economy of Sri Lanka.
The CDS accounting opening session by CT CLSA Securities (Pvt.) marked the conclusion of the “University Investment Day 2019”. Department of Finance plans to organize many productive events like these to enhance the quality of the students as well as strengthen its ties with the outside industry.
