CIMA President’s Dinner in Sri Lanka

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) held its annual CIMA President’s Dinner on 23 January. 

Held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo, the dinner is one of the most important events of the year for the accounting and finance community in Sri Lanka. The event was notably attended by British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Sarah Hulton OBE, World Bank Country Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives Dr. Chiyo Kanda, CIMA Sri Lanka Past Presidents, former Sri Lanka Board Chairs and current CIMA Council members living in Sri Lanka. The event was also attended by prominent business leaders, CIMA corporate partners, CIMA members, and members of the press from across the island. 

CIMA is the world’s largest professional body of management accountants and, together with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), is a founding member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing just under 700,000 AIPCA and CIMA members, candidates and engaged professionals across the world.

Melanie J. Kanaka, CIMA President and Co-Chair of AICPA and CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, said: “As CIMA President, Co-Chair of AICPA and CIMA, and a Sri Lankan, I am delighted to have been able to host this prestigious event in my hometown of Colombo. The last few years have been extremely challenging for all of us, and in the busyness of our everyday lives, we often forget to reflect on and celebrate how far we have come. This evening’s event was enlightening, and truly highlighted the value that our great profession brings to the world.”

The event’s opening remarks were made by AICPA and CIMA Chief Executive – Management Accounting Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA, who emphasised the key role of accounting and finance professionals in supporting business through uncertainty and disruption. CIMA President, and AICPA and CIMA Co-Chair Melanie J. Kanaka, FCMA, CGMA delivered the main address. During her speech, she focused on her journey as CIMA President and called on the profession to step forward to demonstrate the immense value that it brings around the globe. AICPA and CIMA CEO Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA then spoke to the audience about how to best prepare the profession in meeting the future challenges it faces serving the public interest and driving trust, opportunity and prosperity for businesses, economies and society.

The event concluded with a recognition ceremony for CIMA Sri Lanka Past Presidents and former Sri Lanka Board Chairs.