To assist development drive:

ICASL to become degree - offering institution

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) will be a degree-offering institution shortly and it will be geared to produce the manpower necessary for the development of the country, said of Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operative and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardhana.

The ICASL held its annual convocation 2009 at the BMICH yesterday.

The Government will assist the institution to set up a separate headquarters in a bid to provide better service to the students. The country needs professionals as it is on the path of development after eradicating terrorism, he said.

The Government need to have income equals to 20 percent of the GDP. Eighty to ninety percent of the income should be generated by taxes. We need the professional capabilities of the accountants to bring in financial discipline which will result in efficiency and productivity, he said.

One third more land was added to our existing land area with the eradication of terrorism.

We need to make maximum use of this opportunity to increase the level of economic activity and develop our country, he said.