CMA Sri Lanka Toastmasters Club promotes communication, public speaking and leadership skills
CMA Sri Lanka Toastmasters Club chartered in 2015, sponsored under the umbrella of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka (CMA), was initiated by CMA Sri Lanka Founder President Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala.
It was initiated to fulfill the vision of empowering young professional management accountants with the knowledge and skills of communication, public speaking and leadership.
The club is affiliated to Toastmasters International which is a US headquartered nonprofit educational organisation that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of promoting communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.
CMA Sri Lanka held the installation of the fourth President and Executive Council recently.
Toastmaster Anil Indika Kodikara was installed as President by T.M. Chathushika Wijayesinghe, Area Director D82 A2, together with the in-coming executive committee. Sarmaa Mahalingam Club quality director, graced the occasion as guest of honour and emphasised on the growth and development of each Toastmaster, as competent speakers and leaders.
Shehan Baranage delivered an inspirational keynote speech encouraging the in-coming President and the executive committee to take risks and develop personally, to achieve success in life. The chief guest, CMA Vice President H.M. Hennayake Bandara spoke on the occasion, recalling the initiative of Prof. Watawala and the council to make it mandatory for all Certified Management Accountants, passed finalists to complete the Speechcraft Programme to become members of CMA and acquire the knowledge and skills of speech making, communication and leadership.
Council Member Ruchira Perera, CEO DTM Kanishka Jayasinghe, Kosala Dissanayake Consultant CMA and the Management of CMA Sri Lanka together with several distinguished Toastmasters from the toastmaster fraternity joined the celebration of installing the fourth President and Exco of CMA Sri Lanka Toastmasters Club at Cey-nor Auditorium, Colombo on August 1, 2018.
Chandana Samaraweera, the Charter President and IPP testified that the Toastmaster journey has helped discover skills and provided the confidence required for professionals to develop the vital ability of communication and leadership in the corporate world.
Anil Indika Kodikara, the in-coming President being a charter member and Exco member from the beginning thanked Professor Lakshman R. Watawala and the Council of CMA Sri Lanka for the visionary initiative of introducing speech craft to all students, and member aspirants of CMA to learn the art of communication and leadership, confirming the immense benefit received since the first speechcrafter batch started in 2015, which formed the CMA Sri Lanka Toastmasters Club in the same year.
He also stated that CMA Sri Lanka has played a major role in uplifting the quality and communication ability of CMA passed finalists and members and have conducted seven programs providing training to participants. Also all those completing the speech craft programme are eligible to join the CMA Toastmaster club enabling them to further improve the communication and leadership qualities to progress in their career development and reach leadership roles. The Toastmasters club also provides its members to participate in local and international events and net - working amongst these clubs and members.