Sri Lanka rapidly moving towards US$10 billion economy: Cabraal
Sri Lanka, moving rapidly towards a US$10 billion and a $4,000 per capita system, needs knowledgeable, competent and innovative professionals with the skills required for the 21st century knowledge economy, said Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal.
He was speaking at the annual graduation ceremony of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) Australia held at the BMICH recently.
Gracing the occasion - apart from Mr Cabraal as chief guest - was Guest of Honour Professor Janek Ratnatunga - Chair Education Committee of ICMA Australia and Murali Prakash - President ICMA Sri Lanka Branch.
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 highest attended graduation ceremonies, the organisers said. The graduands included leading entrepreneurs, CEO's, Managing Directors, Directors, General Managers, Consultants and Senior Executives from the public and private sector organiza- tions and multinationals.
Mr. Cabraal emphasized the importance for professionals to keep abreast of the changes happening globally and continuously acquire new knowledge. "If not they will be out of touch and outdated," he added.
Prof Janek Ratnatunga referred to 'connecting the dots' and said that upon entering KPMG as an 'article clerk' to do chartered, a major dot was Mr. Nivard Cabraal, the Governor of the Central Bank. Mr Cabraal had won all the prizes, and Prof Ratnatunga wanted to beat him. "I never could, but the discipline, that the chase gave me, served me well for my very successful academic career later". He emphasized that the CMA program will no doubt be an important dot in the professional careers of all the graduates.
Kapila Dodamgoda, CEO of ICMA (Australia) - Sri Lanka Branch announced the Gold Medalists with excellent performance. ICMA Australia says its the fastest 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.