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“Prudent Tax Policies for Economic WAY FORWARD On the topic of member capacity building,
Stability”. The ultimate aim of the Given the demands of the modern I am very pleased to see our Overseas
symposium was to provide a common accounting profession, CA Sri Lanka’s Chapters getting more involved. At
forum for both policymakers and taxpayers way forward will be to strengthen the time of writing, we have seen the
to deliberate and make suggestions on complementary disciplines that will successful conclusion of CA Sri Lanka’s
how the policy framework in the country augment the Institute's core value first-ever International Conference in Dubai.
should be tailored for the best interests of proposition. Our focus in this regard Judging by the enthusiastic response for
all stakeholders. would be to create diverse learning this event from CA members in the Middle
opportunities through a combination of East and around the world, I expect our
Other routine forums to facilitate short courses, programmes, diplomas, Overseas Chapters will take on a bigger
discussion on economic policy and budget degree programmes and other learning role in supporting member capacity
proposals were also continued. resources that cater to the demand for building activities in the coming years.
specialisation in emerging fields such CA Sri Lanka is also working towards
SAB CAMPUS setting up new overseas chapters in UK
as data analytics, Artificial Intelligence,
I am very pleased to see the progress Forensic Investigations and sustainability and Canada, which I expect will assist
made by the SAB Campus in the current reporting. in creating more robust opportunities to
financial year. At the SAB Campus support global mobility of CA members.
convocation held in December 2022, As the key custodian of the accounting
343 graduates were awarded degree profession in Sri Lanka, CA Sri Lanka As always, CA Sri Lanka will seek to build
certificates. will look at updating the core curriculum and cultivate relationships with globally
by broadening the standardised course recognised professional accounting bodies
The growing popularity of both its core content in the areas of Corporate Reporting not only to support member mobility
degree programmes - the Bachelor of and auditing. Further the Institute is but also to make an impact towards the
Applied Accounting General Degree planning to introduce a set of forensic upliftment of the accounting profession as
and the Bachelor of Applied Accounting Accounting standards followed by a course a whole.
Honours degree programmes saw, student on Fraud Investigations.
numbers at the SAB Campus increased ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
notably in 2022. As at end December We are also hoping to update our My appreciation to the members of the
2022, the SAB Campus had 1,413 active examination infrastructure on par with CA Governing Council for their insightful
students. global standards. We plan on offering on- leadership always. On behalf of the
demand exams for Business Level 1 and Council, I wish to thank Ms. Dulani
SME TASK FORCE 2 and also converting the first two levels Fernando - CA Sri Lanka’s CEO and her
The SME Task Force was initially built on examinations into the virtual format with team for their hard work, resilience and
the premise of supporting SMEs to cope effect from January 2023. In due course, commitment towards CA Sri Lanka’s
with the pandemic induced economic we also want to Increase the frequency of strategic objectives.
stress. Since then however the SME Corporate and Strategic level exams.
Task Force has been transformed into a The Council joins me in expressing our
specialist advisory service dedicated to The SAB Campus too will aim to expand its sincere appreciation to our members who
uplifting the Country’s SME sector. activities through the introduction of two have selflessly volunteered their time
new degree programmes - the Bachelor and skills to serve on our committees.
In 2022, the SME Task Force in in Business Analytics and a Master in In closing, I wish to thank all our other
collaboration with National Enterprise Business Administration programme. stakeholders who have been part of our
Development Authority (NEDA) carried out Updating the curriculum of Certified Tax journey.
a series of capacity building programmes Adviser Course offered by the CA Sri Lanka
for the benefit of nearly 200 SMEs in three School of Taxation will be another key
districts. priority, going forward.

Apart from the benefits to the SMEs the We are also planning on a series of new
Task Force creates an opportunity for innovative member capacity building Sanjaya Bandara
our members to volunteer their time and initiatives, including hosting the first-ever President - CA Sri Lanka
expertise to serve on our SME mentor strategy summit and a third regional
pool. As at end December 2022, we had conference in Jaffna. I expect that the
over 100 of our senior members actively launch of CA Sri Lanka’s third fully fledged
engaged as SME mentors. branch in Kurunegala in mid-2023 will also
play a crucial role in ensuring our member
capacity building initiatives reach a wider
target audience.

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