Sri Lanka's first CFA charterholder & leading financial professional Ravi Abeysuriya passes away

Sri Lanka's financial community mourns the loss of Ravi Abeysuriya, a distinguished financial professional who made significant contributions to the industry. His untimely passing leaves a void in the financial landscape where his work was widely recognized and appreciated.

Darshan Ravindra Abeysuriya (1958), passed away in hospital last night (25 Oct). The funeral arrangements are to be notified. 

Throughout his career, Ravi Abeysuriya held prominent roles that left a lasting impact on Sri Lanka's financial sector. At the time of his passing, he was the Director/CEO of Senfin Securities Limited, Independent Non-Executive Director of various notable organizations, including Seylan Bank PLC, HNB Assurance PLC, Colombo City Holdings PLC, Bio Foods (Pvt) Ltd, and Senfin Asset Management (Pvt) Ltd.

Ravi Abeysuriya was also Head of Strategic Business Development / Shared Services at Hayleys and Chairman of the Investment Committee and independent non-executive Board Director of Sri Lanka Insurance. His roles reflected his dedication to strengthening the financial industry's core and governance.

One of Ravi Abeysuriya's significant contributions was his role as the founding member and the first head of Fitch Ratings' Sri Lanka unit. Serving as the Managing Director / CEO of Fitch Ratings SL from 1999 to 2004, he played a pivotal role in establishing a robust credit rating system in the country. This step was instrumental in enhancing Sri Lanka's financial credibility on the global stage.

Additionally, Abeysuriya played a key role in the inception of Amba Research in Sri Lanka, where he served as Managing Director from 2004 to 2009. His visionary leadership helped position Sri Lanka as a hub for knowledge processing services, creating new opportunities for growth and employment.

Ravi Abeysuriya was not only a financial professional but also an educator dedicated to promoting financial literacy in Sri Lanka. His work, including writings and media engagements in both English and Sinhala, helped make complex financial concepts accessible to the general public. He even co-authored a book titled "Financial Literacy to Achieve Your Financial Wellbeing" in collaboration with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

His legacy also extends to his role in founding the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) community in Sri Lanka, known as the CFA Society Sri Lanka. As the founder President and the first CFA charterholder in Sri Lanka, he was committed to raising professional standards and promoting ethics in the financial industry. In 2017, Ravi Abeysuriya received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Volunteer of the Year Award from CFA Institute, recognizing his exceptional contributions.

Ravi Abeysuriya, former president of CFA Society Sri Lanka was selected for this distinct award, in recognition of his exceptional performance and enduring results for CFA Society Sri Lanka and CFA Institute community, among 149 member societies around the world.

William Boivin, project lead for the 2017 Society Awards said: “I am delighted that Ravi was selected as laureate for the award for his commitment to the mission and vision of CFA Institute over several decades by the panel of judges who had an overwhelming task with lengthy discussions to select from exceptional nominees. This is a significant achievement and we are all, members and CFA Institute alike, deeply grateful for his service”.

“We are delighted of the laureate for our founder President and first Charterholder, Ravi Abeysuriya’s outstanding work and dedication”, said Rachini Rajapaksa, former president of CFA Society Sri Lanka.

As Sri Lanka remembers and bids farewell to Ravi Abeysuriya, his influence and contributions will continue to shape the financial sector, education, and media. His legacy serves as an enduring source of inspiration for future generations in Sri Lanka, encouraging them to pursue excellence in finance and contribute to the nation's growth and development. Ravi Abeysuriya's life and work remind us of the impact that individuals can have on their industries and society as a whole.