CIMA Convocation: Geared to lead businesses for national success

Exam complete students

CIMA Sri Lanka held its second convocation of the year in September, under the patronage of H.E. James Dauris (British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives) who attended the event as the chief guest.  Celebrating the success of 205 exam complete students, 146 Associate members and 7 Fellow members, this convocation was held on the theme “Geared to lead businesses for national success.”    With its unique blend of management accounting, financial accounting and business-focused subjects, the CIMA Professional Qualification produces integrated thinkers who look beyond the numbers, and add long-lasting value to their respective organisations.  In his address to the audience, H.E. James Dauris reflected upon CIMA’s competency framework – technical skills (analysis), strategy, people skills (communications) and leadership, to highlight how each of these can function within a business and at the national level to deliver long-term success; by relating these competencies to matters such as marketing Sri Lanka’s key strengths to the global community to attract investment, sustainable businesses which take into account people and the environment, as well as wider issues of governance and accountability.

Underpinning the competency framework are ethics and professionalism and CIMA, together with their joint venture partner the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) have introduced the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation.  This global designation for management accountants recognises professionals who meet the highest benchmark of quality, competency and integrity.  Earlier in the year, CIMA and AICPA members voted to form a new Association which will be launched in January 2017.  The new Association aims to become the most influential professional accounting body in the world, and will represent 600,000 current and next-generation professionals; and expand the global opportunities for CGMAs.  Manjula De Silva (Chairman, CIMA Sri Lanka Board) drew attention to the fact CGMAs in Sri Lanka work across industries, often occupying senior level management positions, “For businesses to succeed, they need competent people to lead them.  Today, if you look at many of the top public and private sector institutions in Sri Lanka many are led by CGMAs who are qualified through CIMA.”  Staying relevant in a business world which is subject to changes was also addressed by the Chairman.  “We are all living in a dynamic world where the only thing that is certain is uncertainty.  CIMA Sri Lanka conducts numerous CPD programmes to help you accomplish this task,” he stated.  CIMA’s CPD programmes help CGMAs and other professionals in the country to identify their learning needs and keep abreast of the latest developments.  

This convocation also recognized 9 national prize winners and the student who completed his CertBA examinations within the shortest time period.  Prize winners from the March 2016 examination diet are: Thasmila Lavangi Ratnayake (Operational case study exam), Suvedha Amendran (Management case study exam), Madushika Dilushi (CIMA Gateway exam), whilst both Narmadha Anjalee Amarasinghe and Mark Ruwinda Gunathilake are joint prize winners for the Strategic case study exam.  Prize winners from the May 2016 examination diet are: Asma Shameela Bahar (Operational case study exam), Umesh Samarasekara (Management case study exam), Susantha Wanigaratne ((CIMA Gateway exam) and Artheha Asokan (Strategic case study exam).  Daksith Jayasinghe who finished his CertBA exams within the shortest time span of 45 days (from 1 January to 31 March 2016) was given special recognition at the event for his achievement.  Valedictorians of this convocation – Narmadha Anjalee Amarasinghe, Mark Ruwinda Gunathilake and Artheha Asokan, concluded the event with a poignant speech on how they fared with their CIMA exams with the support from their lecturers, family and peers.