Wednesday Dec 11, 2024
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The Certified Practicing Accountants of Papua New Guinea (CPA PNG) recently paid a glowing tribute to senior members, recognising their outstanding contributions to the accounting profession and society. The awards celebrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and ethical conduct in the field.
Among the honourees was Panditha Bandara, a senior lecturer in Accounting and Head of the Accounting Division at the School of Business and Policy, University of Papua New Guinea. The awards were presented during a special conference marking the 50th anniversary of CPA PNG. At the same event, Bandara was elected as a council member for the 2024/25 financial year. This is the eighth consecutive year he has been elected to the council.
The CPA PNG is the prestigious professional body of accountants in Papua New Guinea with a membership of 8600 equivalent to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
A distinguished professional, Panditha Bandara has been a member of the CPA PNG Council since 2017. He is a Fellow Member of CPA PNG, an Associate Member of CPA Australia, and an Associate Member of CIPFA UK. Additionally, he holds the designation of Licentiate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and is an Associate Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians. His academic qualifications include a Diploma in International Public Sector Financial Reporting Standards from CIPFA UK and a Master of Business Administration from the Postgraduate Institute of Management, Sri Lanka.
Bandara is also a prolific author, having written 11 textbooks on accounting, business studies, and economics. These publications are widely used in secondary schools, universities, and business colleges across Papua New Guinea.
In 2017, the Government of Papua New Guinea awarded him the Member of Logohu (ML) for his exceptional service to higher education, particularly in accounting education.
In addition to his academic and professional achievements, Bandara serves as the Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Papua New Guinea, further contributing to the strengthening of international relations.