Page 14 - 2596-CA SR Lanka- Annual Report 2022

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

STUDENT MATTERS Given the demands of the modern
Student registrations, after plummeting
sharply during the pandemic, picked accounting profession, CA Sri
up significantly in 2022 thanks to our
aggressive student enrolment drive. While Lanka’s way forward will be
not yet on par with pre-COVID numbers,
I am pleased to say that new student to strengthen complementary
enrolments for 2022 stood at 6,539.
disciplines that will augment the
In our endeavour to deliver a world class
student learning experience, a few interim Institute’s core value proposition.
revisions were made to ensure our
curriculum reflects the current trends. This
was done in the latter part of 2022 even
though the next formal curriculum revision the positive response we received for the The UNDP Programme, a UNDP-sponsored
is due only in 2024. Interim revisions made initial programme, we are now looking initiative to train public sector employees
in three main areas of the CA Curriculum to roll out a formal capacity building working in local authorities in the Northern,
2020; SL 01 - Advanced Business programme for trainees of our non- Eastern, Uva, and North Central Provinces,
Reporting, BL 08 – Digital Business practicing organisations as well. also continued throughout the year.
Strategy, and the IT Pillar. The syllabi for The APFASL collaborated with USAID
each area was reviewed and updated in BUILDING PUBLIC SECTOR PARTNER activity in Sri Lanka to offer a
the context of the latest developments PROFESSIONALS new program on SLPSAS and IT skills for
in the industry and the profession with public sector personnel to further expand
the changes set to come into effect from The Association of Public Financial its training resources.
January 2023. Accountants (APFASL), the public sector
wing of CA Sri Lanka, continued with
On a related note we made certain that all its planned programs to capacity build CONTRIBUTION TO POLICY REFORMS
examinations and other student support the public sector finance professionals, CA Sri Lanka’s advisory role has proven
as well as student engagement activities unfazed by the socioeconomic issues. to be an invaluable resource in supporting
went ahead uninterrupted, even amidst APFASL arranged for CA Sri Lanka to public sector policy reforms. With the
numerous challenges. enter into a fresh MOU with CIPFA (UK) economic crisis taking center stage this
for a further period up to 2025. The past year, CA Sri Lanka Governing Council
CA Sri Lanka’s Kandy branch was relocated understanding will allow APFASL to invited its membership to submit their
to a more spacious premises with the promote CPFA qualification in the country proposals to CA Sri Lanka on Sri Lanka’s
latest infrastructure including a fully fledged both by means of direct entry and via the way forward. As a culmination of these
IT lab for the benefit of our students in the examination route. efforts, a comprehensive discussion paper
central province. was prepared along with proposals for
The "Public Sector" wing of CA Sri Lanka short, medium and long term action for
BUSINESS PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS was the subject of a case study by CAPA economic revival. The document which
in 2022, which was published in November was prepared in the national interest
As always, building sustainable working
relationships with learning partners is an 2022. It provided an illustration of the was handed over to key government
important part of our student learning decision made by a national PAO in Sri stakeholders, including the secretary
experience. Through our business partner Lanka to expand its operations into the to the Ministry of Finance Mr. Mahinda
accreditation programme, CA Sri Lanka public sector as well as the organizational Siriwardena and Governor of the CBSL
established new ties with 4 new learning structures put in place to carry out these Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe as well as all
partners in 2022. The annual learning operations. recognised political party leaders, the
partners evaluation too was conducted With 125 participants, the sixth Best media and donor agencies. I am deeply
with 20 learning partners during the year Annual Reports and Accounts (BARA) gratified to see our proposals well received
under review. with some already implemented.
Awards Competition was successfully
held. Of these, 43 institutions were With government tax revenue deemed
The annual learning partner evaluations awarded for excellence in financial
also provided us with some key insights reporting, and an additional 59 obtained to be a crucial factor in resurrecting Sri
about areas for further improvement. It is certificates of compliance. The most recent Lanka’s economy from its present crisis,
on this basis that we launched a special addition to APFASL’s portfolio of capacity- CA Sri Lanka also hosted its first-ever
training initiative for trainees of our SMPs building programs is the MPFM degree inaugural tax symposium. The two
(Small and Medium Practitioners). Given -day symposium held under the theme
program, which is about to be launched.

12 CA SRI LANKA | Integrated Annual Report 2022