As the sole authority responsible for promulgating accounting and auditing standards in the country, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) once again demonstrated its commitment to sustainability at the 46th National Conference of Chartered Accountants, which was held from 8 to 10 October 2025.
For the second consecutive year, CA Sri Lanka implemented a series of initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact and fostering sustainable practices within the corporate community. Digital ID tags replaced traditional lanyards, and conference material was shared exclusively via digital platforms. The three-day event also utilised eco-friendly signage wherever possible.
The sold-out conference, which attracted over 2,600 participants, and is recognised as the country’s biggest annual business summit, encouraged attendees to also use public transport and carpooling. The Institute also offered guidance on trusted carbon offset programmes, encouraging attendees to voluntarily offset the carbon footprint of their travel.
Furthermore, to reduce plastic waste, CA Sri Lanka did not provide bottled water. Instead, water dispensers were installed throughout the conference venue at the Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, and participants were encouraged to bring their own reusable bottles.
In addition, the organisers transitioned from paper-based to paperless operations. All conference materials, including agendas, speaker bios, and session details were shared digitally via the event app and email. Printed handouts were avoided to minimise paper consumption.
Commenting on the significance of these initiatives, Heshana Kuruppu, President of CA Sri Lanka, said, “CA Sri Lanka plays a vital role in shaping corporate accountability and sustainability in the country. Being among the first in the region to implement sustainability standards SLFRS S1 and S2, we are proud to lead by example. It is crucial for the corporate sector to take these standards seriously, as they guide transparent reporting and responsible business practices.”
With the adoption of SLFRS S1 and S2, CA Sri Lanka continues to reinforce its leadership in promoting environmental responsibility, good governance, and transparency, demonstrating that professional bodies can set the standard for a more sustainable and socially responsible corporate sector.
