Address by Chief Guest...
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The addresses made by the Key Note Speaker Prof Mervyn King and Special Guest Prof Ho Yew Kee have addressed key matters which are important to achieve the sustainable development goals and how Sri Lanka can become a Developed Nation. Hard work and perseverance are two great qualities that have resulted in these successes. Law abiding citizens and the implementation of laws not restricted to pieces of paper applicable to all citizens with no exception have enabled good governance and corruption free societies to be created. I am confident that these experiences if adopted by the Government and Society will enable Sri Lanka to reach economic development and prosperity with peace and harmony before long.
I am also pleased to note the signing of the MOU between CMA Sri Lanka and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants UK (CIPFA) to provide education and training for public sector accountants needs to be given all the support as this will certainly assist the government to bring in financial discipline and proper financial management and cost control in the public sector. Education, training and skill development should be given the highest priority and is embedded in the sustainability development goals.
We also need to commence STEM education in the schools where science, technology, engineering and maths will be taught in all schools with opportunities at the universities and technical colleges to make Sri Lanka convert the large number of arts students mainly from the rural areas to science and technology and provide job opportunities and also bring in foreign direct investment. I am happy that the technical sessions will discuss the Harnessing of Human Capital, Creating Jobs and Scientific research for Sustainable Development.
I wish to congratulate all award winners for their excellent performance at the CMA Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards 2019 and all companies and state institutions who took part in the competition. I have been informed that an Integrated Reporting Workshop has been organised on the 11th September after the conference by eminent experts which will enable you to do better in preparing your integrated reports for the next year. My good wishes to the President Prof Lakshman R Watawala and the Governing Council, management and staff of CMA Sri Lanka for the very well organised event and wish them a very successful conference. I wish CMA Sri Lanka success in all their activities and that CMA will provide the lead in taking cost and management accounting and integrated reporting to all sectors of private and public sector enterprises to create value to all its stakeholders.