President says professionals have greater role to play in development

Opens Rs. 550 m modern building of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday declared that professionals have a greater role to play in Sri Lanka’s development drive, as the country strived to stand shoulder to shoulder with other key developed nations.

Addressing a distinguished gathering including Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernando, diplomats, Parliamentarians, CA Sri Lanka members, public officials and business leaders, soon after ceremonially declaring open the new multi-storeyed building complex of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), President Rajapaksa stressed that each and every one including professionals have a responsibility to serve their nation and to support the development of their country.

“Only when everyone joins in this cause can this nation be truly developed,” he said.

“We should also have the strength to take on any challenge. As investments come in, the responsibilities lying on our shoulders also increase. But we have to ensure that every area and sector is developed, not just a handful of areas, and it is the responsibility of the professionals to help Sri Lanka achieve these development targets,” the President noted.

He also commended the institute for providing its students extensive facilities with the setting up of an IT training unit and a specialised English learning centre which will help groom them to be professionals who will be well versed in all areas.

“As we strive to make our city and country a commercial hub, give your support to the Government, help us continue in this development journey which will ensure we are always on the right track,” the President added.

Minister Fernando addressing the gathering emphasised that the new state-of-the-art building of CA Sri Lanka was second to none and was a significant landmark which further boosted Sri Lanka’s image in its strive to become the ‘Miracle of Asia’.

“Today, as various small and large investments come into the country, it is primarily the professional community that is enjoying the dividends of peace which we are witnessing since the end of the war,” he said, while urging the professional community to play a more proactive role in the Government’s development initiatives.

CA Sri Lanka President Sujeewa Rajapakse, speaking on the important occasion, said: “Today we turn a new chapter in our 53-year long illustrious journey, as we unveil this important landmark of our institute. This is not just another building, but a landmark which demonstrates our continuous commitment to enhance the accounting profession to the highest level and most importantly will validate our Institute’s consistent commitment at being committed to provide the best of services and facilities for the benefit of our stakeholders.”

CA Sri Lanka is one of the largest tertiary education providers in the country outside the university system with a student base of over 37,000, who are currently studying the chartered accounting course. The institute is also one of the largest and foremost professional organisations in the country with over 4,300 members.

Rajapakse also disclosed that the new building was fully funded with the internal funds of the institute through the surpluses derived from various professional and education related activities offered through the institute.

The new building located at Colombo 7 is valued at Rs. 550 million and was constructed on a 40,000 sq. ft. floor area. The complex includes several state-of-the-art lecture and study rooms which can accommodate up to 300 students, a fully-fledged IT laboratory with over 150 computers, together with a student counselling and service centre.

The new building also boasts a modern lounge for networking and enhanced facilities to conduct continuous professional development programs for the benefit of all CA Sri Lanka members. The building also houses various meeting and training rooms for the benefit of the institute’s key stakeholders.

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, who is a CA Sri Lanka member and a past President of the institute, also expressed his appreciation to the incumbent President of CA Sri Lanka Sujeewa Rajapakse and Immediate Past President Sujeewa Mudalige for taking the initiative and help realise the dream which was envisioned by many presidents of the institute.

The vote of thanks was delivered by CA Sri Lanka Vice President Arjuna Herath.