25th ICASL Students’ National Conference on 6 April

Exploring the apt theme “Economic Renaissance”, the 25th ICASL Students’ National Conference will be held on grand scale on 6 April at the Hotel Galadari, Grand Ballroom Colombo.

The conference is organised by the Practicing Accountants’ Chartered Students’ Society (PACSS) — the students’ society of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.

This one-day professional development programme focuses on various issues and vital aspects relating to current business and economic environment which goes beyond the traditional classroom work and forms a part of overall education and personal development. Thus, this year’s conference focuses on the post war scenario of our country and how the students of our profession among others could contribute to the development of our nation and give our motherland a finishing touch. The conference will address an array of topics ranging from “Dress Attire” to “Drivers of Economic Growth”.

Several eminent persons from the corporate sector will present their perspectives on the path to an ideal national in the context of a post war scenario and how young professionals like us could become partakers in the country’s development. The keynote speaker at this event will be Suren J. Amarasekara, CEO of Mobitel Ltd. presenting his views on “How Leadership Will Promote Economic Renaissance.” Reyaz Mihular, Patron of PACSS and a Partner of KPMG Ford Rhodes Thorton & Co. will present on a much debated topic, “Challenges Ahead: SLAS to IFRS.”

Human Resource is considered as the most crucial, but at the same time the most difficult resource to manage. Therefore, what strategies should be implemented in a period of Economic Renaissance? Terry Unruh, Managing Director of the Character Precepts Training Institute Ltd. will answer this question in his presentation. Highlighting the importance of attire in the corporate world, Fouzal Hameed, Managing Director of Hameedia will also address the gathering. Presenting his views on leisure sector, Prema Cooray, Managing Director/CEO of Citrus Leisure Plc will outline the importance of this dynamic sector as a driver of Economic Renaissance.

The conference will also feature a visual presentation interview with the Governor of the Central Bank, Ajith Nivard Cabraal who at this session will reveal his views on the various questions raised by students on pressing economic concerns, the challenges faced in the post-war development process of Sri Lanka and the role of professionals in such a scenario.

Over the years, the CA students’ conference has been a remarkable platform for the students of professional bodies in the South Asian Region to interact with each other and share not only their professional knowledge, but also develop interpersonal skills.  It also provides an opportunity for students of the sub-continent to present their views on topics which are of interest in the current business world.