CA Sri Lanka launches Hall of Fame

Thursday, 8 December 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Cheranka Mendis

CA Sri Lanka, the national body of accountancy for the country on Friday launched an honouring program for accountants who have contributed immensely to the field with the first ever ‘Hall of Fame’ celebrations.

Felicitating seven illustrious members in the field of accountancy of which some were founding members, the institute confirmed that this would be an annual event honouring those who deserve.

The seven members inducted to the Hall of Fame were Samy M. Pasupati, Trevor De Silva, Spencer Esmond Satarasinghe, Leslie Alan Winston de Alwis, Gamini Christopher Bernard Wijeyesinghe, James Selvanathan Mather and Charitha Prasanna de Silva. Addressing the gathering Hall of Fame Selection Panel Chairman Lal Nanayakkara stated that the presentation was a long overdue one.

He said, “This is to recognise the services rendered by senior and founder members of CA Sri Lanka. Collectively they have pushed the frontiers of the institute and brought it up the level at which it stands today. The seven we induct today have carved a niche for themselves in the profession.” He stated that the present body of the institute led by Sujeewa Mudalige as President has introduced two sets of awards of which Hall of Fame is one. The other is the Lifetime Achievement Award which was awarded to N. G. P. Panditharatna in 2010 and Gamini Wikramanayake in 2011. Chief Guest for the evening, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal mentioned that he has known the inducted individuals personally in his career. “They illustrate the phrase that the profession is only as good as the people in it.

They lead the profession forward. They were people with extraordinary qualifications. We are fortunate to have been blessed with such people,” Cabraal said. CA Sri Lanka President Sujeewa Mudalige acknowledged that chartered accountants play a considerable role in the board room at present. He stated that two years ago 60% of the 50 top companies listed in the Stock Exchange have Charted Accountants in leading roles in the board room. Over the two year period the number has gone up to 70%, he said. “We are determined to grow this way,” Mudalige asserted.

“There is a responsibility going forward to help shape the profession and industry so that those who follow us will benefit like we have from these individuals. Their future is critical in going forward as we must prepare to focus and respond as those in the past, have done before us.” He stated that the public expectation of the role of a professional body is changing and it is important for the institute to take a lead role.

– Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera