ICASL honours Panditharatna with inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award

In appreciation of the contribution made for the accountancy profession in particular and the society in general, the ICASL honoured N. G. P. Panditharatna, Senior Chartered Accountant with the Lifetime Achievement Award, at a ceremony held at the Waters Edge, Battaramulla on 28 October 2010.

The ceremony was held in conjunction with the inauguration of the 31st National Conference of the ICASL.

A Committee, comprising Lal Nanayakkara, Asite Talwatte and Reyaz Mihular, all past presidents of ICASL, was assigned with the task of identifying the most suitable candidate for the award. The award is based on merit and is given to a member whose outstanding contribution is measured in terms of co-values of the profession. Only retired members over the age of 70 years were considered for the award.

The Committee was unanimous in recommending to the Council of ICASL the name of N. G. P. Panditharatna as the recipient of the inaugural award.

In his illustrious career spanning over four decades, he offered employment and training opportunities for thousands of students aspiring to become Chartered Accountants. Many of them rose to key positions in the private and public sectors. In addition to giving leadership to his firm Ford Rhodes Thornton & Company, he also held several senior state appointments as Chairman, Mahaweli Authority, Deputy Chairman, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Member, Monetary Board of Central Bank.  A renowned philanthropist, Panditharatna continues to offer financial support to many an organisation involved in social welfare and charity. He offers hope and solace to the needy and troubled all over.