Professionals have greater role to play - President
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa cutting
the ribbon whils Johnston Fernando, Minister of
Co-operatives and Internal Trade, Sujeewa Rajapakse,
President, CA Sri Lanka and Secretary/CEO - CA Sri Lanka
Aruna Alwis look on |
President President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that professionals have a
greater role to play in Sri Lanka’s development drive, as the country
strives to stand shoulder to shoulder with other key developed nations.
Addressing the opening of the new multi storeyed building complex of
the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka),
President Rajapaksa stressed that each and every one including
professionals have a responsibility to serve their nation and to support
the development of their country. “Only when everyone joins in this
cause can this nation be truly developed,” he said.
“We should also have the strength to take on any challenge. As
investments come in, the responsibilities lying on our shoulders also
increase. But we have to ensure that every area and sector is
development, not just a few handful areas, and it is the responsibility
of the professionals to help Sri Lanka achieve these development
targets,” the President noted. He also commended the institute for
providing its students extensive facilities with the setting up of a IT
training unit and a specialized English learning centre which will help
groom them to be professionals who will be well versed in all areas. “In
our strive to make our city and country a commercial hub, give your
support to the government, help us continue in this development journey
which will ensure we are always on the right track,” the President
added.
Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, Johnston Fernando
addressing the gathering emphasized that the new state of the art
building of CA Sri Lanka, was second to none and was a significant
landmark which further boosted Sri Lankas image in its strive to become
the Miracle of Asia. “Today as various small and large investments come
into the country, it is primarily the professional community that is
enjoying the dividends of peace which we are witnessing since the end of
the war,” he said, while urging the professional community to play a
more proactive role in the government’s development initiatives.
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A frontal
view of the new building |
CA Sri Lanka President, Sujeewa Rajapakse, speaking on the important
occasion said, “Today we turn a new chapter in our 53 year long
illustrious journey, as we unveil this important landmark of our
institute. This is not just another building, but a landmark which
demonstrates our continuous commitment to enhance the accounting
profession to the highest level and most importantly will validate our
institute’s consistent commitment at being committed to provide the best
of services and facilities for the benefit of our stakeholders.”
CA Sri Lanka is one of the largest tertiary education providers in
the country outside the university system with a student base of over
37,000, who are currently studying the chartered accounting course.
The institute is also one of the largest and foremost professional
organisations in the country with over 4,300 members. Rajapakse also
disclosed that the new building was fully funded with the internal funds
of the institute through the surpluses derived from various professional
and education related activities offered through the Institute. The new
building located at Colombo 7 is valued at Rs. 550 million and was
constructed on a 40,000 sq. ft. floor area. The complex includes several
state-of-the-art lecture and study rooms which can accommodate upto 300
students, a fully-fledged IT laboratory with over 150 computers together
with a student counseling and service centre.
The new building also boasts of a modern lounge for networking and
enhanced facilities to conduct continuous professional development
programmes for the benefit of all CA Sri Lanka members. The building
also houses various meeting and training rooms for the benefit of the
institute’s key stakeholders. Central Bank Governor, Ajith Nivard
Cabraal who is a CA Sri Lanka member and a past president of the
institute also expressed his appreciation to the incumbent President of
CA Sri Lanka, Sujeewa Rajapakse and immediate past president Sujeewa
Mudalige for taking the initiative and help realize the dream which was
envisioned by many presidents of the institute.
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