Innovation is one of the most powerful ways to drive business growth in today’s challenging economic environment, with this objective in mind, the annual flagship event of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), the National Conference of Chartered Accountants will focus on how chartered accountants can spearhead the drive to achieve further growth through innovation.
The 34th National Conference of Chartered Accountants centering around the theme ‘Innovate to Grow’, will be held from the 24th to 26th October 2013 at the Waters Edge, Battaramulla, with two day of technical sessions featuring an expert panel of local and foreign resource personnel.
Held since 1979, the National Conference is among the Institute’s flagship events and one of the most looked forward to conferences in the corporate calendar. 
CA Sri Lanka President Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakse highlighted that every year the national conference sees an impressive participation of chartered accountants. He said last year alone, over 1200 chartered accountants including top business leaders representing leading companies in the country participated at the conference, making it one of the most sought after conference’s in recent times.
He noted that innovation is among the main drivers of economic progress and well-being, as well as a potential factor in meeting global challenges in domains such as the environment, health, climate change, sustainable development, amidst many more, and this year’s conference will focus how chartered accountants can take the leadership in bringing about innovation.
“At a juncture when our country is witnessing various advances, innovation can help spur further economic and infrastructure growth in Sri Lanka. “Therefore, I believe this year’s focus on innovation at the 34th National Conference is both timely and vital,” he added. 
Chairman of the National Conference Committee Mr. Lasantha Wickremasinghe emphasized that the conference over the last three decades has built a reputation, as a business summit that provokes thoughts and spurs insights into broad economic and business issues; apart from its core emphasis on finance related topics.
“Every year we work tirelessly to ensure our annual conference, which is among our flagship events, progress to be the best of conferences in the country. The national conference of chartered accountants which is held in accordance to international standards focuses on the most pertinent themes featuring the best of local and foreign experts. This year too, every effort has been taken to provide our participants with a very refreshing and edifying experience,” Wickremasinghe added. 
Chairman of the National Conference Technical Committee Mr. Dulitha Perera underscored that in today’s business context; innovation is a relevant subject and if businesses are to succeed in today’s competing time’s innovation is required. “Keeping this important objective in mind, this year’s conference will focus on how both professionals and business can innovate to grow thereby ensuring all round success,” he pointed out.
As always, this year’s event as in previous conferences will feature an eminent panel of both local and foreign experts who will edify participants on innovations that have taken place in the spheres of manufacturing, service sector and social networking while emphasizing how innovation has helped conquer new markets shedding insights into some of the innovation-driven success stories the world has seen.
“The two day long technical sessions will explore the means of managing risks connected with innovation and how to foster a more conducive environment for innovation within an organization including the significance of leadership in driving innovation,” Perera said.
Chief Executive Officer of CA Sri Lanka, Mr. Aruna Alwis noted that due to the overwhelming demand last year, the Institute had to transmit the conference sessions through webcast, so the conference could reach a larger audience, due to limited seating capacity at the conference venue.
“This year too as in previous years, we are expecting a very high participation at the conference,” he added.
