The 30th National Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) has taken on greater significance this year against the backdrop of the end of the civil conflict and signs that countries are emerging from the global recession.
The theme ‘Leading a New Beginning for Sri Lanka’ for this year’s Conference, scheduled for next week, is a pivotal concept, said Chairman of the Technical Committee of the National Conference Channa Gunasekara. After 26 years of impediments to social and economic programmes in Sri Lanka, he said the situation is not there anymore. In addition to seeking opportunities in the North and East, the Conference will also focus on what can be done differently in the rest of the country in the post-war scenario.
The ICASL has made this year’s event a leadership conference, aimed at the business community at large. Chairman of the National Conference Committee Sujeewa Rajapakse said ICASL members, numbering over 4,000, are holding positions as managing directors, CEO’s, production managers and even human resource managers. “Whether you are a CFO or holding another position, you need to be top notch people who can take this country forward.” He said international presenters will talk at this year’s Conference on various themes and topics relating to their experiences and what has happened over the past year.
Mr. Rajapakse said the recession has affected Sri Lanka but according to most analysts around the world, the US and Europe are coming out of it. He explained that Sri Lanka has not been so badly affected which shows the resilience of the Sri Lankan economy.
Mr. Gunasekara added that the accounting profession has actually been strengthened in the midst of the global crisis. “The role of the CFO has now changed and it is becoming more of a strategic role in driving businesses while moving out of the traditional number crunching.”
Mr. Gunasekara also said the ICASL is celebrating 50 years of existence while having organized the National Conference for the past three decades. “Those are significant milestones.”
The 30th National Conference will be held from 17 to 19 September 2009 at the Water’s Edge. The presenters include Director/Group Chief Executive of Dialog Telekom Hans Wijayasuriya, CEO of American Links International B.P.Sharma and certified Financial Risk Manager and certified Professional Risk Manager Jeffrey Lim amongst others. |
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