Over 260 students graduate with the CA Sri Lanka BSc. Applied Accounting Degree

 Graduates of the CA Sri Lanka School of Accounting and Business

CA Sri Lanka President Manil Jayesinghe presenting an award to a graduate in the presence of Sujeewa Rajapakse, Sanjaya Bandara, Dulani Fernando and Pradeep Alexander

CA Sri Lanka President Manil Jayesinghe addressing the gathering

Chief Guest People’s Bank Chairman Sujeewa Rajapakse addressing the graduates

CA Sri Lanka Vice President Sanjaya Bandara addressing the guests

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), the only professional body in the country to offer a globally recognised professional qualification and an academic qualification under one roof, on Wednesday produced 263 new graduates at the Annual Convocation of the School of Accounting and Business (SAB) which offers the BSc. Applied Accounting Degree. 

The SAB Annual Convocation 2020/2021 was held under the patronage of People’s Bank Chairman, CA Sri Lanka Past President and BDO Partners Managing Partner Sujeewa Rajapakse, while CA Sri Lanka President Manil Jayesinghe and CA Sri Lanka Vice President and SAB Board of Management Chairman Sanjaya Bandara, CA Sri Lanka CEO Dulani Fernando and SAB Director Pradeep Alexander were also present at the event at BMICH. 

A total of 228 students graduated with the three-year BSc. Applied Accounting (General) degree, while 35 students obtained the four-year BSc. Applied Accounting (Special) degree. Of the 263 graduates, 23 students were adjudged first-class winners, and 53 students were second-upper class winners. 

The CA Sri Lanka degree awarding arm, SAB has so far produced over 720 graduates since the BSc. Applied Accounting degree was launched in 2013, and is today one of the most sought-after finance degrees in the country with a student population of over 2000. 

Chanuka Yasith Pemachandra Doluweera won the ‘Emeritus Professor M.W. Wickramarachchi Award’ for the Best All-Round Performer at this year’s convocation, while Dinukshi Tharuni Rasangi Samarawickrama was adjudged the first runner-up and Minura Randhula De Silva Gardia Punchihewa was the second runner-up in the same category. 

Dinukshi Tharuni Rasangi Samarawickrama also won the prize of Overall Performer for the General Degree Program, while Piumika Christeen Perera bagged the prize of Overall Performer for the Special Degree. 

Rajapakse said that CA Sri Lanka has always ensured quality education that is accessible to all. “Therefore, you are privileged to complete your degree at a recognised Institute where you are trained to be initiative, determined and dedicative,” he said. 

Rajapakse highlighted that higher education is not just about acquisition of knowledge but also about developing citizens with the right skills and attributes of good citizens. “As new graduates, it is your prime duty to use the acquired knowledge and skills for the betterment of the society as the country expects your service and contribution to the nation’s development,” he added.

Addressing the new graduates, Jayesinghe said that despite the extraordinary challenges following COVID, CA Sri Lanka took steps to convert the challenges into opportunities by going high-tech, and conducting lectures of the degree program, and even intakes virtually to ensure the students completed the degree without undue delays.  

“The pandemic taught us all to adapt and be agile, and this is an important lesson for all of you as you step into the future. As graduates of this finance degree, you have an important foundation for your future, which will offer you unlimited horizons,” he said. 

Jayesinghe also emphasised that as much as the degree has provided the students with a good foundation, it is up to them to maximise their potential, by continuously enhancing their skills and competence, whilst keeping abreast new developments in the finance and business world. 

“A key requirement today is to continuously develop your skill to ensure you remain contemporary. But, while you update and upgrade your skills and competencies in the professional realm, it is equally important to ensure self-development as well as possessing the right attitudes, if you are to truly become successful,” Jayesinghe said. 

The CA Sri Lanka BSc. Applied Accounting Degree is recognised by both the University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Higher Education. The degree is globally recognised and equivalent to the degrees offered by State universities in Sri Lanka. CA Sri Lanka is also a listed Member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. 

Bandara, who also serves as the Chairman of the SAB Board of Management, highlighted that as a stand-alone qualification, the BSc. Applied Accounting degree is not only contemporary and relevant for the future, but another unique advantage graduates can enjoy after completing the four-year special degree is to fast-track their professional journey by becoming a Chartered Accountant through the special exemptions offered by CA Sri Lanka.  “This means, you get to enjoy both a professional qualification and an academic qualification in accounting, which will boost your future prospects, not only in Sri Lanka but all over the world,” he added.