Nalanda College Colombo emerged victorious amongst host of leading Colombo schools at the highly emulous Royal College Quiz Competition 2013 winning the CA Sri Lanka Challenge Trophy. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) was the platinum sponsor of the event held at Royal College, Nawarangahala.
As one of the country’s leading tertiary education providers, CA Sri Lanka has spearheaded a number of unique initiatives for the benefit of the country’s students by providing leadership in various student related programmes held across the country, in its continuing aim to update students on their general knowledge in accounting and other subjects.
CA Sri Lanka President Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakse emphasized that today the Institute boasts of unparalleled standing in the accounting world with a mammoth active student base of over 41,000 due to its globally recognized qualification and maintaining the highest professional standards. “We have a membership of over 4300, a majority of them are top level business leaders in Sri Lanka,” he noted. He added that the Institute’s aim is to attract the best and the brightest of students to follow the chartered accountancy course in the future too thereby continue the legacy that its forefathers pioneered. He also stressed that the students should focus on a rewarding career which will always offer them employment opportunities no matter where they are. “And CA Sri Lanka qualified accountants are always sought after and are always guaranteed a job both here and abroad,” he added.
Mr. Arjuna Herath, Vice President CA Sri Lanka addressing the audience stated that commerce is an area that is interwoven with every aspect of our day to day life, hence its relevance doesn’t confine to only commerce stream students. “It’s clearly exemplified with many Science/Engineering students along with the commerce students pursuing a career in accounting and finance subsequent to leaving school or University” he added.
Sharing his personal experience with the students Mr. Herath stressed that the formal education route - Ordinary Level, Advanced Level followed by a University degree or a professional qualification - has been designed to instill the level of depth and breadth that one should acquire as they progress in their careers and in life; advocating students not to pursue shortcuts during the years that they are expected to follow formal education. “The robustness, rigor, and the intensity of the education and training process of the chartered accountancy qualification impart knowledge and skills that are required be a top class professional. That’s one of the reasons why we see most of our students performing as accountants, finance managers immediately after qualifying; as oppose to their peers with other qualifications” he added.
Secretary / CEO, CA Sri Lanka, Mr. Aruna Alwis speaking of CA Sri Lanka’s partnership of this event noted that getting involved in extracurricular activities helps students in developing their personality and learn some of the basic life skills such as teamwork, balancing different priorities, time management etc. These skills together with a sound educational background can make them invaluable when they join the corporate world, he said, commending the efforts of Royal College Commerce Society in organizing the event. “Quiz competitions always enhances general knowledge of student which is as important as the subject knowledge that they gain through the school curricular.” he added.
