Seminar on Solutions to Meet Challenges of SMEs in Financial Management and Bank Funding post-COVID

• Key event conducted by CMA Sri Lanka COVID 19 SME Development Committee on 25 July

Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala Founder President – CMA Sri Lanka

Dr. Chamara Bandara Consulting Entrepreneur – Corporate Doctors

Dilshan Fernando Manager SME – Commercial Bank

Chaaminda Kumarasiri Chairman H C P Consulting, Mgt. Consultant

Dr. Kulatunga Rajapakse Chairman – DSI Samson Group

The Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka, incorporated by an Act of Parliament and coming under the Ministry of Finance, has taken the initiative to set up the CMA Sri Lanka COVID 19 SME Development Committee, which comprises of professional bodies, Chambers of Commerce, commercial banks and industry experts.

The SME sector forms the backbone of the economy, is found in all sectors of the economy, and accounts for 52% of the total number of enterprises in the country. 

The recent COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has greatly impacted the SME sector, and the committee is engaged to provide urgent assistance for their revival, as many businesses may close down, resulting in loss of jobs and increasing the unemployment rate significantly.

The seminar on “Solutions to Meet Challenges of SMEs in Financial Management and Bank Funding Post-COVID-19” will be conducted via Zoom and Facebook on Saturday 25 July from 4.00 pm to 6.00pm. 

The inaugural address will be made by CMA Sri Lanka President Prof. Lakshman R Watawala on “Need to Provide Special Attention to Development of SMEs.” 

Dr. Nirmal de Silva Strategy Consultant, Entrepreneur Board Director

Damith Gangodawilage Managing Director – Taxperts Lanka

The speeches will cover: “Post COVID-19 financial management in SMEs” delivered by Dr Chamara Bandara, Chartered and Management Accountant specialising on SMEs, and “How to obtain concessions granted by Central Bank of Sri Lanka and other banking solutions”, delivered by Commercial Bank SME Banking Manager Dilshan Fernando. The panellists who are industry experts on SME sector will include: Emeritus Chairman DSI Group of Companies Dr Kulatunga Rajapakse, Strategy Consultant and Entrepreneur Dr Nirmal de Silva, and expert on SME tax and incentives Damith Gangodawilage.  The seminar will also inform SMEs on the expert consultants available with the CMA Sri Lanka COVID 19 SME Development Committee, who will provide expert advice and services to SMEs, who should channel their requests through the Help Desk maintained by the supporting Chambers of Industry / Trade / Commerce in the different specialisations of finance & accounting, human resource/labour, management & entrepreneurship, skill development, marketing, supply chain, exports, linkages with bigger companies and assistance with banks. The supporting chambers include Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL), Colombo Chamber of Commerce, The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries (CNCI), The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE), Sri Lanka Chamber of Small and Medium Industry (SLCSMI The Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS), The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC), and The Chamber Of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE).

The seminar will be conducted in a combination of English and Sinhalese.