The inaugural batch of the country’s first ever BSc. Degree in Applied Accounting offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) were inaugurated recently.
The maiden batch which consists of students from various parts of the country including Colombo were educated on the many benefits and advantages they can enjoy as undergraduate students of CA Sri Lanka, which is one of the country’s largest tertiary education providers with a mammoth population of over 41,000 students.
Addressing the students of the first ever batch of the applied accounting degree, CA Sri Lanka President, Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakse noted that degrees are a prerequisite in today’s fast paced and ever evolving world and having understood the importance of degrees, the Institute took steps to launch a recognized accounting degree to the youth as well as professionals who are interested in furthering their academic education to ensure greater success in their chosen careers.
“Today is a very proud moment in our history as we inaugurate our very first batch for the CA Sri Lanka degree programme,” he said.
Mr. Rajapakse reiterated that CA Sri Lanka is the only professional institute in the country currently offering both a professional qualification as well as a degree in accounting. He emphasized that the degree in applied accounting has also been recognized by the University Grants Commission, thereby giving students an added and important leverage.
Immediate Past President of CA Sri Lanka, Mr. Sujeewa Mudalige stressed on the value of the degree programme, which was the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. He also encouraged the students of the first batch to follow the chartered accountancy professional qualification offered by CA Sri Lanka, which commands global recognition.
Chief Executive Officer of CA Sri Lanka, Mr. Aruna Alwis noted that unlike most other degrees offered both here and abroad, the CA Sri Lanka degree comes with some very distinctive advantages. “Primarily among these advantages is the fact that this degree is specially designed to produce employable graduates with the required skills, competencies and industry knowledge to fulfill a successful accounting career,” he said.
Mr. Alwis emphasized that accountancy has always been a profession that has been in demand. “In the current context of the corporate world, qualified accountants occupy most of the leadership positions in many companies and industries,” he said.
“Our members are proof of the growing demand because more and more of our members are today spearheading various businesses both here and even abroad,” Mr. Alwis added.
From Left to Right: | Mr. Wijerathna Banda, Registrar – School of Accounting and Business CA Sri Lanka; Dr. T.B. Andarawewa, Director – School of Accounting and Business CA Sri Lanka; Emeritus Prof. M. W Wickramarachchi – Retired Professor of Accounting (Dept of Accounting – Univeristy of Sri Jayawardenapura); Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakse, President CA Sri Lanka; Mr. Arjuna Herath, Vice President CA Sri Lanka; Mr. Sujeewa Mudalige, Immediate Past President CA Sri Lanka; and Secretary/CEO CA Sri Lanka Mr. Aruna Alwis. |