Gracing the occasion at this year`s graduation were the Chief Guest Hon. Eran Wickramaratne, Deputy Minister of National Enterprise Development, and Special Guest of Honour, Mr. Tim Huggins, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia for Sri Lanka and Maldives.
The Chair of the event was Prof. Janek Ratnatunga, Chief Executive Officer of ICMA Australia.
A large number of Certified Management Accountants (CMAs), Associate Management Accountants (AMAs) and Graduate Management Accountants (GMAs) graduated at the ceremony, making it one of the most highly attended graduation ceremonies.
This diverse group of graduates included leading entrepreneurs, CEOs, Managing Directors, Directors, General Managers, Consultants and Senior Executives from public and private sector organisations and multinationals.
These candidates have joined the ICMA Graduate Conversion Programme with their Professional, Bachelors or Masters level qualifications in Banking, Marketing, Engineering, Law and Human Resources or through the ICMA Qualifying Workshop with their professional Accountancy qualifications or Finance Specialised postgraduate qualifications.
The Chief Guest at the event, Mr. Eran Wickramaratne, emphasised that the accountability of professionals extends far beyond the accountability to shareholders, but towards the accountability to customers, suppliers, employees, environment and the community at large.
He further emphasised that the biggest responsibility as a professional is to be accountable and to hold the others accountable, irrespective of whoever they may be.
Prof. Janek Ratnatunga emphasised that ICMA (Australia) is the first ‘specialist’ post-graduate level management accounting professional body focusing on creating value.
“It was founded in Australia, and now has a global reach spanning 49 countries with 16 Regional Offices around the world.
It has also sponsored a university in the USA, Calwest University, to continue to develop ICMA members”, said Prof. Ratnatunga.
Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Chairman - ICMA Australia Sri Lanka Branch, Murali Prakash, President - ICMA Australia Sri Lanka Branch, Mr. Kapila Dodamgoda, Regional Director of ICMA Australia and the Valedictorian Mr. Kennedy Michael also addressed the gathering.
ICMA Australia is a fast growing post graduate level accounting qualification in Australia with an increasing membership in Australia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Lebanon, UAE and Sri Lanka.
The institute’s presence in Sri Lanka goes back to 1998 and more than 800 professionals have obtained membership during this period.
ICMA Branch Executive Council organises a number of professional development and networking activities on a regular basis.
Annually more than 200 students follow the ICMA Graduate Conversion Programme and the CMA Workshop on Strategic Management Accounting.
Certified Management Accountant (Australia) professional qualification offers competitive advantage to the non-financial professionals in an ever-changing business environment today and updates the professional accountants with contemporary developments in Management Accounting.
Photo captions:
1.) Chief Guest Hon. Eran Wickramaratne addressing the gathering
2.) Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and the panel of academics
3.) Graduates
