Mahesha Amarasuriya takes over as Chairperson of CIMA Sri Lanka Country Network Panel

Mahesha Amarasuriya, FCMA (UK), CGMA was recently elected as the Chairperson of the CIMA Sri Lanka Country Network Panel for the year 2018. 

With the global changes that have taken place in CIMA with the joint venture with American Institute Certified Public Accountant (AICPA), the CIMA Sri Lanka Country Network Panel succeeds the CIMA Sri Lanka Board as the elected representative body of CIMA members in Sri Lanka and reporting to the CIMA Global Council. 

This Panel will provide leadership in creating opportunities for the CIMA membership in Sri Lanka to network and engage with other professional bodies and businesses, thereby promoting CIMA and Management Accountancy in Sri Lanka. 

Mahesha Amarasuriya said, she was happy to take over this leadership position, at a time when there is much emphasis on the country’s economic progress and restructuring, and that she would endeavour to have more involvement of CIMA Sri Lanka and the Membership in this process. 

“During the year 2018 leading to the Centennial year of CIMA I look forward to creating enhanced member engagement opportunities and thereby providing closer connection between members, students and the businesses. I also look forward to working closely with the other professional bodies to create and add value to the professionalism as a whole in Sri Lanka”, she further stated. 

She also highlighted that in view of the upcoming centennial year of CIMA, there would be several key initiatives leading up to this milestone. She looks forward to working with the panel, all of whom play key leadership roles in their respective organisations, and was hopeful that much could be done in the coming year which would add value to the Membership, CIMA and the country as a whole.

Amarasuriya is the Head of Private Banking at Cargills Bank Ltd. and a member of the corporate management of the bank. She commenced her banking career at NDB Bank and has wide expertise in banking and management with focus on corporate and private banking. She holds a BA Hons Degree from the University of Colombo and a MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayawardenapura, where she had the distinction of being first in the batch. She was awarded the Young CIMA Star in 2006 and is an Alumnus of the US Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP). 

She had been a Board Member of CIMA Sri Lanka since 2012 and held the position of Vice Chairperson in 2016 prior to the restructure. She was also a Member of the CIMA Middle East South Asia and North Africa (MESANA) Regional Board in 2017.

Amarasuriya is ably assisted by Head of Strategic Business Development of Hayleys PLC and Director Hayleys Group Services, Manohari Abeyesekera, FCMA (UK), CGMA who assumes duties as the Vice Chairperson of the Network. Abeysekara was also previously a member of the CIMA Sri Lanka Board since 2012. 

The CIMA Sri Lanka Network Panel comprises of Mahesha Amarasuriya, FCMA (UK), CGMA (Chairperson), Manohari Abeysekera, FCMA (UK), CGMA (Vice Chairperson), Ranjit Pereira, FCMA (UK) CGMA, Membership Assessor, Rajeev Aloysius, FCMA (UK), CGMA, Joint Managing Director, The Autodrome PLC, Chamila Cooray, FCMA (UK), CGMA, General Manager – Ops/Head – Centre of Excellence, WNS Global Services Ltd., Tharaka Dayabandara, ACMA (UK), CGMA, General Manager Six Sigma, Sri Lankan Caterpillar Dealership, United Tractors & Equipment, Prashani Illangasekera, ACMA (UK) CGMA, Consultant, SheConsults Ltd., Asitha Jayamaha, ACMA (UK), CGMA, Head of Finance/Chief Accountant, Noorani Estates Ltd., Reshahn Uzman, ACMA (UK), CGMA, Lecturer, Rifka Ziyard, FCMA (UK), CGMA, Associate Director – Tax and Regulatory, KPMG. 

The CIMA Sri Lanka Network Panel will by ably supported by the CIMA Sri Lanka Division headed by the Country Manager Zahara Ansary, ACMA (UK), CGMA.