Reflections The official digest of CIMA

Issue 2 | 2020 Contents

1 Foreword

4 Contributing to the global dialogue

6 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) activities in 2020

10 Strategic collaborations and flagship events

18 Subcommittee activities

22 Student recruitment activities

28 Student development and progression activities

30 Member services

34 Member recognitions

35 Pathway promotional activities

36 Offers for our students

37 CIMA Sri Lanka Toastmasters Club (TMC) update

38 CIMASS activities in 2020

39 Registered tuition partners

40 Our corporate partners

41 A revolution in professional education

42 The team behind the scenes Foreword

It is during challenging times that we show our worth, and I would like to congratulate CIMA® Sri Lanka for the magnificent efforts they have made during 2020 to support our members. Some highlights include the help members volunteered to provide for SMEs as part of an expert panel. In the past few months, they lent their expertise through brief one-on-one sessions to assist businesses during these challenging COVID-19 times. Another is CIMA Sri Lanka’s first virtual career festival, which grabbed attention with its 11 insightful sessions over seven days. Over 50 teams participated in the Hackathon event and 15 submitted business proposals for the Elevator Pitch session.

This was also the year CIMA celebrated 55 years of existence in Sri Lanka. Whilst the lockdowns and the pandemic did not allow us to celebrate this milestone physically, we celebrated the success of our members via social media. The team also helped our new members celebrate via a virtual region-wide Member Recognition event.

As an influential global membership body, CIMA, supported by the American Institute of CPAs® and part of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants®, strives to represent members to those in positions of power. In November, we hosted an exclusive discussion addressing the key areas of focus pertaining to the 2021 national budget, featuring Hon. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms.

Although COVID prevented some activities I would normally take part in person, we ensured that I had the chance to meet members virtually through our Reimagine Recovery Roadshows. During these I have been sharing my vision for how finance professionals can come to the fore and reimagine our economic future so that it benefits more people. I want us all to ask more questions about who is benefiting from what we do and just as importantly, who is not. As more companies start using integrated reporting to show the value they create, it will become increasingly obvious who is building a sustainable business and who is not.

The COVID pandemic shone an uncomfortable light on the cracks in the way the world does business, from shaky supply chains to employee rights — or lack thereof. During my year as president, I’m encouraging us all to look at what we can do personally to rebuild our economies to withstand unexpected shocks, with our focus on doing the most good we can while continuing to thrive ourselves.

This will be vital in the coming months as we start moving beyond the pandemic into a more prolonged phase of rebuilding and regrouping. The Association has the combined strength and resources of its founding bodies to support members as they occupy pivotal roles in providing the information and solutions to challenges faced by our future economies.

I am confident that together we will be a formidable force for good in the post-COVID world.

Nick Jackson, FCMA, CGMA President, CIMA

1 Welcome to the latest edition of Reflections!

There were many events and activities as 2020 began, with the visit of the CIMA President 2019—20 Amal Ratnayake, FCMA, CGMA. Since the onset of the lockdowns in March, our team began to work from home. To date, we remotely assist our students, exam completes and members and other stakeholders such as our corporate partners. I am grateful to my colleagues who worked behind the scenes to organise CPDs to help you keep up with new skills and take care of your mental well-being.

This year, the team worked creatively and collaborated with other professional bodies and entities to bring the best for our students and members. In fact, this year we saw opportunities amidst challenges! For example, our sell-out budget was done virtually, and we added an exclusive event where members can interact with our state minister. CIMA was recognised as one of the quickest organisations to adapt to the pandemic in Sri Lanka.

To celebrate our 55th anniversary in Sri Lanka, we launched our very first virtual career festival, which was well-received. Through the Association, we organised ‘Smarter Leadership and Decision Making’ with the Business Leadership Institute USA as well as a CGMA Business Recovery Toolkit event with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. We’ve also celebrated the diversity of our members by profiling them on the CIMA Sri Lanka Facebook page and various collaborative platforms such as LMD and Chokolaate Magazine. We hope to continue these initiatives in 2021, too.

Our members also achieved many significant milestones this year, which began with Melanie Kanaka, FCMA, CGMA, becoming the CIMA vice president in June. Then Kasturi C. Wilson, FCMA, CGMA, became the first female CEO of a Sri Lankan conglomerate. Most of which our members also achieved promotions and appointments to influential positions this year — most of which you can read within this edition or see on our CIMA Sri Lanka Facebook page.

I’d like to express my sincerest gratitude to our members who have contributed time and effort to our activities. Most of our CPD events have been voluntarily supported by our members, who made many of the activities a success, including the SME Expert Panel. We are greatly thankful to all our registered tuition providers who sprang to action to help our students move into virtual classes and then supported them with remote exams. I would also like to thank Rifka Ziyard, chair of the Network Panel, panel members and all members serving in the various subcommittees for their service to CIMA Sri Lanka.

We will continue to have exciting events, CPDs and training opportunities at local and regional levels that will help you thrive in these extraordinary times. Feel free to reach out to me or my team for any clarifications, and we hope you have a wonderful 2021!

Zahara Ansary, ACMA, CGMA Country Manager, CIMA Sri Lanka

2 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka The year 2020 has been one of the most challenging years for most of us. CIMA’s pride lies in the fact that, even in this challenging year, CIMA has successfully adapted to the ‘new normal’ and carried out initiatives contributing immensely to students, members, the profession and the society. It is with great pleasure that I share my thoughts in the second edition of Reflections.

The COVID-19 pandemic did dampen our planned events at the start of the year. However, it also gave an opportunity to re-engergise and strategise, allowing us to persistently overcome challenges. This year, CIMA unveiled an abundance of virtual events throughout the year with local and international speakers for upskilling and reskilling of our members, domestic and regional conferences, virtual career fairs, mentoring programmes for CIMA students and exam completes, national budget events and many more. Even all operational meetings for these activities were carried out virtually due to the limitations in mobility post-pandemic. CIMA has celebrated its 55th year in Sri Lanka by portraying agility, digital transformation, adaptability and resilience to stand tall in this challenging year.

CIMA students and members had the opportunity to meet the 87th CIMA president, Nick Jackson, at the virtual roadshow especially held for Sri Lanka. The year 2020 is also significant for all Sri Lankans as Melanie Kanaka was elected the CIMA vice president and is the first woman outside the U.K. and Europe to be elected to a global position.

My sincere appreciation to members of the Country Network Panel, the members of the CIMA subcommittees, Country Manager Zahara Ansary and the CIMA Sri Lanka office staff for their efforts throughout the year to make 2020 yet another memorable year.

I sincerely believe that you would find this edition informative as we ponder the best moments from 2020. I thank everyone who made this edition possible. As the current members of the country network panel bids adieu at the end of 2020 after our three-year term, we look forward as CIMA members to another exciting year where CIMA will continue to deliver excellence.

Rifka Ziyard, FCMA, CGMA Chair, CIMA Sri Lanka Network Panel (2020)

3 Contributing to the global dialogue

As the country hosting the largest concentration of CIMA students and members, outside the U.K., we are extremely proud to present Sri Lankan CIMA members who are contributing towards the development of the global accounting profession by serving on the CIMA Council, the Board of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and the Association’s Middle East, South Asia and North Africa (MESANA) Regional Advisory Panel.

Melanie J. Kanaka, FCMA, CGMA CIMA Vice President Head, Finance and Administration at World Bank (Sri Lanka and Maldives) CIMA Global Council Member, CIMA Professional Standards Committee Chair, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants Board Director Immediate Past Chair, CIMA Professional Standards Committee Fulbright Scholar and certified SAP consultant

Manohari Abeyesekera, FCMA, CGMA Director, NSB CIMA Network Panel Sri Lanka Past Chair CIMA Global Member Engagement Committee Member

Mahesha Amarasuriya, FCMA, CGMA Assistant General Manager, Card Services, Cargills Bank Association of International Certified Professional Accountants MESANA Regional Advisory Panel Member

Damith Pallewatte, ACMA, CGMA Deputy General Manager, Wholesale Banking Group Association of International Certified Professional Accountants MESANA Regional Advisory Panel Member

4 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka 5 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) activities in 2020

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of our CPD activities were held virtually this year.

Mental health

Several free webcasts were conducted for members, students and professionals about the importance of mental health and well-being to help manage, cope and understand stress and anxiety during these trying times.

How to Positively Manage Stress and Anxiety During COVID-19 March 31 Speaker: Dr. Shanelle De Almeida Group Wellness Manager — PLC and Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Mindfulness in Times of COVID-19 April 3 Speaker: Dilmi Weerasinghe Founder of Serenity Counseling and Psychosocial Support Centre, counsellor and psychotherapist

Take Care of Your Well-Being June 2 Speakers: Rozaine Cooray Organizational Psychologist, Forte Consultancy

Dr. Kayathri Periasamy Consultant Physician, Healthy Life Clinic

6 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Understanding the ‘ABCDE’ of finance Joint events

We conducted a webcast, ‘ABCDE — Artificial Intelligence, We conducted many programmes this year in Blockchain, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Ethics’, to with other reputed institutes: highlight the importance and the changes brought about With The Management Club of , we conducted by these trends to the business world. The webcast was a free webcast, ‘Management Skills and Resilience for conducted over three days, commencing with ‘Artificial Today’s Business World’, to discuss implications and Intelligence and Blockchain’ on July 15, ‘Cybersecurity solutions for marketing, human resource and finance and Data Analytics’ on July 16 and ‘Ethics’ on July 17. aspects of a business. The eminent panel of speakers included: With PwC Sri Lanka, we conducted ‘Digital Upskilling: Dr. Sankha Muthu Poruthotage Preparing You for the Future’, where we featured a Founder/CEO, Linear Squared Pvt Ltd. panel of corporate and academic experts to discuss (Artificial Intelligence) how upskilling is critical in today’s world.

Dr. Srinath Perera With the Continuous Professional Development Vice President, Research, WSO2 Inc. (Blockchain) Committee of the Association of Professional Bankers (APB), The Finance Houses Association Asela Waidyalankara (FHA) and CA Sri Lanka, we organised an event titled Information Security and Cyber Consultant and ‘Wondering How the Debt Moratorium Affects You?’ Country Director — Sri Lanka, Comsec (Cybersecurity) where the effects of IFRS 9 for Sri Lankan banking and finance professionals were discussed. Chathuranga Abeysinghe ACMA, CGMA Lead Data Evangelist ‘Thinking Out of the Box: Reinvent and Digitalize’ was MAS Holdings (Data Analytics) the fourth session in the Professional Accountancy Organizations (PAO) Seminar Series, where CIMA along Melanie J. Kanaka, FCMA, CGMA with AAT, ACCA, CA and CMA Sri Lanka discussed how Head, Finance and Administration at World Bank individuals and businesses can be agile and make the (Sri Lanka and Maldives); CIMA Vice President, best use of technology, both during and after the crisis. CIMA Appointments Committee Member, Association of International Certified Professional With the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, we conducted Accountants Board Member ‘Plan Your Post-COVID Business Roadmap (BRT)’, where a panel of experts discussed brand new Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, FCMA, CGMA strategies to recover and grow businesses post-crisis. Director, Corporate Affairs, Securities & Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (Ethics) With the , we held a webcast titled ‘Get the Best Out of the Stock Market’, which was the first in a series of initiatives as part of a MoU signed earlier this year.

7 Gig work, gamification and social media Digital taxation: Tax challenges of digitalisation

Traditional 9-to-5 working hour models are gradually With the EU introducing the Digital Services Tax, it’s only becoming obsolete as technology allows people to a matter of time before it will be adopted in the Asia perform their roles efficiently and effectively even while Pacific. We conducted a timely CPD on digital taxation working remotely. We held a free Zoom session on and its challenges. ‘Agile Work Ways and the Gig Economy’, where the Our keynote speaker was Wong Hsin Yee, Partner speakers discussed the risks and opportunities of of International Tax and Transaction Services at EY gig work during this time of crisis. Singapore. She gave us an overview of digital taxation, Supun Jayasinghe, ACMA, CGMA, Head of Business emerging tax trends, and the tax challenges companies — Gaming at Arimac Digital, shared insights on how we face since the launch of the 2013 BEPS Action Plan. She can use gamification to encourage customer loyalty and also illustrated how some countries such as France have stand out from the competition at a CPD event titled introduced digital services taxation, as well as Singapore, ‘Gamification: Your Business’s Next Money Maker.’ which have adopted the Overseas Vendor Registration Regime (a GST regime) instead of the DST. She concluded A free session titled, ‘Monetising Your Social Media her presentation with some best practices and action Presence: Are You Using It the Right Way?’ was held to items that companies can use. discuss the ways/how to effectively monetise your social media presence, what some of the best practices are, To bring a local perspective to the discussion, a panel of how they are applicable during these times and how to experts from various industries in the country gave their make the most of them. opinion and deliberated on the DST and how it would affect their area of expertise. They included:

Zulfer Jiffry CEO, Digital Mobility Solutions Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Prasath Nanayakkara Chairman and CEO, Million Spaces (Pvt) Ltd.

Jayantha De Silva Chairman, Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA)

S.W. Pradeep Yasantha Silva Member of Sri Lanka Institute of Taxation, Commissioner — Large Tax Payer Services Unit Department of Inland Revenue

Sulaiman Nishtar (moderator) Partner — Tax, Ernst & Young Sri Lanka

8 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Other CPD events Workshops

Jan. 28, 2020 Feb. 17–March 30, 2020 Advanced Microsoft Excel for Data Analysis Speechcraft

March 11, 2020 Sept. 2–3, 2020 CIMA Directors’ Tax Forum 2020 Finance for Non-finance Professionals

Aug. 26, 2020 Sept. 26–Nov. 28, 2020 Leadership & Smart Decision Making (BLI) Course on Taxation

Dec. 2, 2020 Oct. 17–Nov. 14, 2020 Power BI Managing Finance in a Digital World

Dec. 11, 2020 Nov. 24–26, 2020 Making Money During the Pandemic SLFRS/IFRS Certification

Complimentary CPD events

April 9, 2020 Financial Management in Times of Crisis

May 13, 2020 APAC CPD — Post-COVID: Crucial Skills for Business & Finance Professionals

9 Strategic collaborations and flagship events

CIMA and Ceylon Chamber of Commerce The panel included: set up expert panel to help SMEs thrive Ravi Abeysuriya, Group Director – Candor Group

Small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) play a Mahesh Amarasiri, General Manager Corporate Planning crucial role in furthering growth, innovation and prosperity and Business Development, DSI Samsons Group in the . Unfortunately, many of them Malinga Arsakularatne, Co-owner/CEO, Acorn Group face challenges in accessing the necessary capital to grow and expand, as well as the expertise and knowledge Sanath Fernando, Partner, Ernst and Young that will help them weather the stormy water brought in Lalith Fonseka, Consultant and (Former) Joint by the pandemic. Managing Director, Mackwoods Ltd.

To help SMEs, we joined forces with the Ceylon Chamber Natasha Fonseka, Group Director – Human Capital and of Commerce to create a platform to bridge the gap, Taxation, Softlogic Holdings PLC by bringing in our expertise to assist Sri Lankan SMEs. Dian Gomes, Independent Non-Executive Director, CIMA members are versatile and have wide experience in Nestle Lanka PLC transforming businesses. This initiative brought together CIMA members who volunteered brief one-on-one sessions Lakshmi Jayasinghe, Group Director, The Capital to assist SME owners during these challenging times. Maharaja Organization Limited Shantha Kurumbalapitiya, Managing Director, Several areas of expertise were offered: Serendib Leisure Financial review — liquidity/cash flow Hasitha Premaratne, Group Finance Director, New business opportunities and diversification Brandix Group

Resourcefulness (repurposing of resources, new Gavin D’ Rosairo, Chief Financial Officer/Director opportunities to utilise spare/excess capacity) of Finance, AIA Sri Lanka

Leadership capability Nishtar Sulaiman, Partner, Ernst and Young

New marketing trends using digitalisation Riyaz Sangani, CEO, Vidullanka PLC

Human capital and governance Manohara S. Tillakawardana, Management Consultant, Managing risks and uncertainties Vanquisher Consulting

Our panel of CIMA members also helped SME owners Shaan Wickremasinghe, Management and Marketing use the tools in the CIMA Business Recovery Toolkit and Consultant, formerly Unilever, MAS Holdings, Fonterra, related resources such as the CGMA Horizon Scanner, Nations Trust and Atlas Axillia CIMA Strategic Scorecard and the CGMA Business Kavinda de Zoysa, Director/Head of Corporate Model Framework. and Investment Banking, Citibank N.A., Sri Lanka

10 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka CIMA-ICCSL-Daily FT Most Admired The top ten companies in alphabetical order are: Company Awards 2020 Bank of Ceylon

For the third consecutive year, we partnered with the Cargills Ceylon PLC International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) CBL Investments Limited (CBL Group) and the Daily FT to launch Sri Lanka’s Most Admired Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC Companies Awards 2020. Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company PLC Recognised as being the only one of its kind in Sri Lanka, these awards are for companies that are a cut above PLC the rest in terms of not just their financial performance LOLC Holdings PLC but also the value they create sustainably and ethically NDB Bank PLC for their employees, customers, investors, and the community. Peoples Bank

The panel of judges for the awards are esteemed and Sri Lanka Telecom PLC well-established professionals in Sri Lanka and is chaired by Ravi Abeysuriya, FCMA, MBA, CGMA, Director/CEO, The five honourable mentions in alphabetical order are: Candor Group. Other esteemed judges included: Aitken Spence PLC

Rajeev Amarasuriya, FCMA, CGMA Ceylinco Life Insurance Ltd. Attorney-at-Law, Supreme Court of Sri Lanka PLC (JKH)

Varuni Amunugama Fernando PLC Co-founder and Joint Managing Director, Triad Ltd. Sunshine Holdings PLC Dr. Harsha Cabral President’s Counsel Brand Ambassadors Club Sunil Dissanayake Director/Chief Executive, BMICH As part of the most influential body of professional Malith Gunasekara accountants worldwide, and one that helps people and Independent Information Communication businesses succeed, we embarked on an initiative to build Technology and Digital Financial Services Consultant, stronger ties with our partner/top employer organisations e-Health and FinTech Advisor and our members who work within such organisations.

Santosh Menon CIMA Sri Lanka launched the CGMA Brand Ambassador Chairman/CEO, KL.LK Club (BAC), which consists of CIMA members who would represent your organisation at our Focus Group sessions Dr. Sulochana Sigera and also disseminate information from CIMA within an Chairperson, Women in Management (WIM) organisation to the CIMA community. The BAC currently Deepal Sooriyaarachchi consists of nominees of CIMA corporate partners Management Consultant and top employers. If you’re a CIMA member at the mid-management level, you’ll be the best person to serve as our main contact within your organisation.

11 CIMA Sri Lanka ‘Hundred and 10%’ career festival

We went above and beyond with CIMA’s first virtual career festival, which covered 11 insightful sessions over seven days and hosted more than 45 business leaders, industry experts and thought leaders.

Day 1 — technical skills Our speakers delved into the importance of data and numerical analysis along with what it takes to excel technically today. Along with an introduction into and an overview of the festival, Day 1 also featured the below sessions:

Going Above and Beyond: A session on pushing your limits and striving to upgrade your technical skills to succeed in your industry.

Power of Numbers: A panel discussion on the importance of being able to analyse data and make sense of numbers in today’s professional environment.

12 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Day 2 — people skills Our speakers were immersed in engaging question and answer sessions that included discussions on the importance of leadership, collaborations and partnerships. The day’s itinerary included the sessions below:

Swimming With the Big Fish: A live Q&A on how essential leadership, people skills and partnerships help companies to stay competitive in their industries.

Hackathon: A 24-hour hackathon featuring teams of up to five members, competing to pitch the winning solution to an unfinished business problem.

Creating a Winning Impression: A session on entrepreneurship and conducting yourself in business situations to create winning impressions and build strong professional relationships.

13 Day 3 — leadership skills Day 4 — business skills The itinerary for the day involved our speakers engaging The itinerary for the day was conducted under in discussions on two different sessions: the below sessions:

Breaking the Glass Ceiling: A Q&A session with Guardians of the Money: A panel discussion on the leading female business personalities on strengthening role of digitalisation in the future of finance and the workplace diversity and the importance of creating a importance of new technology adoption. level playing field for women. Starting Something Big: A panel discussion on Succeeding Through Collaborations: A panel dreaming big, persistence and the challenges in discussion on managing change, driving performance growing a brand or business. and building successful partnerships within the organisation and outside it.

14 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Day 5 — elevator pitch Day 6 — diversity The two highlighted segments for the day was the The sessions for the day were as follows: elevator pitch as well as a panel discussion on becoming Creating Magic: A panel discussion focusing on entrepreneurial and developing the right mindset to talent and skills diversity, and the benefits of having succeed as an entrepreneur. multi-sector exposure in today’s world. The elevator pitch was a competition for budding Employability in the New World: A panel discussion entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas and have on the need for diverse skill sets in organisations and them reviewed by eminent business leaders. identifying the right qualifications to succeed in the digital world.

15 Day 7 — digital skills The itinerary for the day included three intriguing sessions:

Embracing Opportunities and Riding High: A panel discussion on leveraging digital channels and social media to launch and grow businesses at a faster pace.

Digital Innovation: A session on innovation, disruption and mastering digital skills to add more value to businesses.

Tomorrow’s Skills: A panel discussion on the challenges that future workforces will face, and the importance of being strategic about gaining new skills.

16 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka CIMA and SLICM sign MoU introducing entry pathways for members

We entered into a collaborative agreement with the This collaborative webcast organised by CIMA and SLICM Sri Lanka Institute of Credit Management (SLICM) discussed managing credit risk in current conditions. to provide students and members an opportunity to The webcast featured industry experts, such as: obtain exemptions from each other’s qualifications. Aby Eapen We intend to collaborate on a national and international Director Financial Services Advisory level to create unprecedented value for members across Deloitte India different industries by hosting development courses, Jithendra Gunatilake, FCMA, CGMA programmes, workshops, seminars and related activities. Head of Compliance We will also work together on strategic initiatives to LOLC Finance PLC support member career development. Shiranthi Gunawardene Managing credit risk during a pandemic: Attorney-at-Law a CIMA-SLICM webcast Brandon Morris The volatile nature of the global economy has made Group Managing Director it important for financial institutions to have robust Associated Motorways Private Limited credit risk management strategies in place. COVID-19 has brought in further challenges to these existing Damith Pallewatte, ACMA, CGMA risk management frameworks due to the sudden halt Deputy General Manager in supply chains and economic activities affecting Wholesale Banking Group & Hatton National Bank PLC borrowers’ capacity to meet their debt obligations. Krishan Thilakaratne Legislative interventions via stimulus packages and Director/CEO guidance on providing borrower relief have added to the Commercial Leasing and Finance PLC strain. These have led financial institutions and other organisations to review and focus on their risk functions.

17 Subcommittee activities

Member Development Subcommittee 2020

This committee planned out a series of webcasts to Ruwan Munasinghe, ACMA, CGMA address technical knowledge gaps and help members Nimalka Perera, ACMA, CGMA and all business leaders to manage the impacts of the pandemic better. Shaneil Perera, ACMA, CGMA

Members of the Subcommittee: Dulani Samarajeewa, ACMA, CGMA

Praveeni Jayasekera (Chair), ACMA, CGMA Amila Tennakoon, ACMA, CGMA

Sunela Samaranayake (Co-chair), ACMA, CGMA Rajindra Uswatte, ACMA, CGMA

Irunika Abeysinghe, ACMA, CGMA Archana Vekneswaran, ACMA, CGMA Rajiv Dias, ACMA, CGMA

Chalitha Dissanayake, ACMA, CGMA

Akila Gunarathne, ACMA, CGMA

Karthiga Kathirgamanathan, ACMA, CGMA

18 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Webcasts

The committee successfully organised three well-attended webcasts over Zoom:

Topic Speakers Date Moderator

Recent Tax Reforms Suresh R I Perera May 4, 2020 Praveeni Jayasekera Principal Tax and Regulatory KPMG

Rifka Ziyard Director Tax and Regulatory KPMG

Riding the Storm Tony Ong May 15, 2020 Sunela Samaranayake CEO, Xtrategize Malaysia

Boonsiri Somchit COO, Xtrategize Malaysia

Impairment of Assets Sanjeewa Anthony June 16, 2020 Akila Gunarathna and Events After the Executive Director, Jetwing Hotels Reporting Date Hiranthi Fonseka Partner, Ernst and Young

Chandrika Perera Group CFO, Abans Group

Rohana Wijebandara Group Financial Controller, PLC

19 Publications CXO forum

The committee carried out research locally on areas The Stakeholder Relations Subcommittee organised of interest and (with advice from CIMA) decided to focus on the CXO Forum on the theme of ‘Visionaries: Building the subject of ‘Forecasting in Turbulent Times’. It devoted Sustainable Business for Sri Lanka’s Future’ on July 24, specific attention to cash flow forecasting and managing 2020. This was the first virtual CXO forum conducted by stakeholders, which were of utmost interest to the people CIMA Sri Lanka. the committee spoke to before finalising the topic. Building resilient businesses has always been amongst The publication focuses on techniques of zero-based the top three priorities of any nation. Today’s pandemic- budgeting, rolling budgets and moving beyond budgeting. impacted environment has imposed significant threats It then takes the reader through practical and innovative on traditional business models and the respective ways of handling cash flows during difficult times. economies, which has led companies to focus more on One section dwelt on the importance of sensitivity assessing the measures businesses can take to survive analysis and its practical uses and the final technical and sustain in the new normal. chapter discusses how stakeholders such as shareholders The well-rounded panel was composed of: and banks could be managed. Lin Gon-Deutschmann, Co-founder, The publication also features interviews with Senaka Artificial Intelligence Academy (AIA) Kekiriwaragodage, FCMA, GCMA, the CEO of NDB Capital Chanakya Dissanayake, FCMA, CGMA, Senior Holdings, and Jehan Jayasuriya, ACMA, CGMA, business Director/Country Head for Sri Lanka and Global Head director of MAS Intimates, for a discussion of their of Investment Research, Acuity Knowledge Partners approaches to running business during the pandemic and share their thoughts on potholes to avoid. ‘Forecasting in Shiran Fernando, FCMA, CGMA (Moderator), Troubled Times’ will be published soon and will be available Chief Economist, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce through the CIMA Sri Lanka Facebook page/CIMA website. Prakash Iyer, Motivational Speaker and Leadership Coach; Former MD, Kimberly-Clark Lever; Bestselling Author Stakeholder Relations Subcommittee 2020 Dileep Mudadeniya, Head of Brand Marketing of Members of the Subcommittee: Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts; CEO and Vice President Rajeev Aloysius (Chair), FCMA, CGMA of John Keells Group’s Cinnamon Life Mall

Rasika Galappathy (Co-chair), FCMA, CGMA The panelists’ insights on building resilient businesses F.X. Ranjit Pereira (Adviser), FCMA, CGMA were tailor-made to address the current crisis-hit Chamathka Fonseka, ACMA, CGMA corporate environment of the country. The futuristic Chamil Hathurusinghe, ACMA, CGMA discussion focused on the ideal leadership attributes fit for these times, the essence of digital transformation, Saranga Kalugalage, ACMA, CGMA operationalising excellence in a crisis-hit macro Nafaz Ahamed Nilam, ACMA, CGMA environment and Sri Lanka’s way forward post Shanel Perera, ACMA, CGMA COVID-19, especially in tourism. Vikraine M. Senadheera, ACMA, CGMA Amongst the speakers, the echoing remark was the Upul Thennakoon, ACMA, CGMA importance of continuously redefining corporate vision Nivran Joseph Weerakoon, FCMA, CGMA (and for professionals to keep redefining themselves to Devni Wickramasinghe, ACMA, CGMA suit the changing business dynamics). They also talked Viveknath Wijayakumar, ACMA, CGMA about harnessing technology through digitalisation as the crisis inevitably provides opportunities for the players who C A D William, FCMA, CGMA would leap ahead of the pack fast.

20 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Student Development Subcommittee 2020 The mentoring sessions covered a range of relevant areas including career guidance, people management Members of the Subcommittee: and stress management. The mentors engaged in the Prashani Illangasekera (Chair), ACMA, CGMA programme were:

Mafaz Ansar, ACMA, CGMA Manohari Abeyesekera Director, National Savings Bank Krishantha Atukorala, FCMA, CGMA Niroshan Jayasuriya Malshan Cooray, ACMA, CGMA Senior General Manager — Corporate Finance Shaazry Hussain, ACMA, CGMA Brandix

Haroon Mowjood, ACMA, CGMA Dilrukshi Kurukulasuriya Chief Human Resources Officer, Sarala Nirmani, ACMA, CGMA Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC Dilini Bhagya Pathirana, ACMA, CGMA Rajitha Kurupumulle Shanaka Rabel, ACMA, CGMA Chief Operating Officer BoardPac Madurika Samarasekera, ACMA, CGMA Kamaya Perera F H Sheriff, ACMA, CGMA Partner, KPMG Sanjaya Wijesekare, ACMA, CGMA Shanaka Rabel Kavitha Yogarajah, ACMA, CGMA Chief Information Officer Stretchline Holdings Ranil De Saram Leadership Engagement for Aspiring Partner (Advisory and Risk Services), Professionals (L.E.A.P.) Ernst and Young Mohan Wijebandara The Student Development Subcommittee successfully Finance Controller, Fonterra concluded L.E.A.P. (Leadership Engagement for Aspiring Professionals), a mentoring programme for strategic level Lakmini Wijesundara and exam-complete students. Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, BoardPAC and IronOne Technologies Now in its second year, the initiative was part of the committee’s drive towards enhancing student capabilities Given the pandemic, these mentoring sessions were held and ensuring workforce readiness while providing access virtually. The programme was extremely well-received to professional networking. Through this programme, 40 by the mentees who immensely valued the insights they selected mentees connected with nine corporate leaders, received from the mentors. industry professionals and successful entrepreneurs, complementing their technical learning with the practical experience and insights of the mentors.

21 Student recruitment activities

The CIMA business development team undertook several Aroshi Nanayakara, ACMA, CGMA impactful recruitment activities during the year, and Chief Executive Officer, Global Consulting Company organised seminars and career guidance programs in Hasitha Premrathne, FCMA, CGMA partnership with the education department of Sri Lanka. Group Finance Director, Brandix Group By transforming our recruitment activities during a global Shanaka Rabel, ACMA, CGMA pandemic, we were able to organise and successfully Global Chief Information Officer conduct some key webcasts as well as hold virtual Stretchline Holdings Ltd. commentary sessions through social media channels with leading business and leadership personalities in Venkkat Ramanan, FCMA, CGMA Sri Lanka today. Regional Vice President — Asia Pacific, the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

CIMA Game-Changers Nilanthi Sivapragasam, FCMA, CGMA (in partnership with Chokolaatemag) Group Chief Financial Officer, Aitken Spence PLC

This aptly named webcasts featured industry game-changers Dinesh Weerakkody, FCMA, CGMA who also happen to be CIMA-qualified professionals that Chairman, Hatton National Bank; have shaped their respective industries in Sri Lanka. Chairman, ICC Sri Lanka The virtual chat sessions that were held each week featured Kasturi Wilson, FCMA, CGMA key business personalities discussing valuable and insightful Chief Executive Officer, Hemas Holdings PLC content for students in business and finance:

Thushan Amarasuriya, FCMA, CGMA Chief Executive officer, Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC

Jayanthi Dharmasena, FCMA, CGMA Managing Director Agriculture Holdings Limited

Indresh Fernando, FCMA, CGMA Chief Process Officer, Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC

Suren Fernando, FCMA, CGMA Chief Executive Officer, MAS Holdings (Pvt) Ltd.

Dian Gomes, FCMA, CGMA Honorary Consul of Georgia in Sri Lanka

Dinuk Hettiarachchi, FCMA, CGMA Managing Partner of Nihal Hettiarachchi & Company

22 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka 23 Student today, business leader tomorrow

In this webcast, our distinguished panellists related some colourful stories from their careers and life experiences. The panel consisted of CIMA members and key influencers whose children were also CIMA students or members. This gave young professionals and students a great opportunity to learn from the life stories of individuals who have gone on to achieve excellence.

These were our panellists:

Professor Sampath Amaratunge Chairman, University Grants Commission Sri Lanka

Zahara Ansary, ACMA, CGMA Country Manager, CIMA Sri Lanka

Jayanthi Dharmasena, FCMA, CGMA Managing Director, Hayleys Agriculture Holdings

Ravi Edirisinghe, FCMA, CGMA Director/CEO, GAC Group Sri Lanka

Deshabandu Roshan Mahanama Former Sri Lanka Cricket and ICC Elite Panel

Venkkat Ramanan, FCMA, CGMA Regional Vice President — Asia Pacific, the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

24 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka What’s next after AAT?

This webcast was organised for AAT-qualified students on how to become a CGMA designation holder with the CIMA qualification. The event featured prominent CIMA members with the discussion theme revolving around career opportunities in business and finance:

Manohari Abeyesekera, FCMA, CGMA Director, National Savings Bank

Thushan Amarasuriya, FCMA, CGMA Chief Executive Officer Singer Finance (Lanka) PLC

Zahara Ansary, ACMA, CGMA Country Manager, CIMA Sri Lanka

Chamila Cooray, FCMA, CGMA Vice President/General Manager — Operations, WNS Global Services

Tharindu Wijewardana, ACMA, CGMA Manager, Stakeholder Engagement Pathways and Relationships CIMA Sri Lanka

25 Choose success after A/Ls

This webcast, which was a collaboration with Wijeya Venkkat Ramanan FCMA, CGMA Media, focused on developing new leaders for a changing Regional Vice President — Asia Pacific world and gave Advanced Level students in Sri Lanka Association of International Certified advice and guidance on how to choose the right path to Professional Accountants success during these uncertain times. Our prominent Professor Sampath Amaratunge panellists gave valuable advice and articulated industry Chairman, University Grants Commission Sri Lanka insights that they have gathered through years of experience and hard work: Supun Weerasinghe, FCMA, CGMA Group Director/Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC Ravi Edirisinghe, FCMA, CGMA Director/CEO, GAC Group Sri Lanka Kasturi Wilson, FCMA, CGMA Chief Executive Officer, Hemas Holdings PLC Indika Liyanahewage, FCMA, CGMA Chief Executive Officer, Eskimo Fashion Knitwear

26 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Interactive virtual soft-skills building sessions for school students

At CIMA, we take it as our responsibility to help Corporate etiquette and grooming develop well-equipped professionals and business CIMA believes in developing well-rounded business leaders. We have extended our duties beyond the scope leaders and we partnered with prominent government of our students and members to the whole country and private universities in Sri Lanka to deliver a virtual and especially to the next generation. Here are some corporate etiquette and grooming programme to their programmes that we organised to motivating and students. We were able to talk about essential soft skills developing soft skills of the youth of Sri Lanka: such as preparing for an interview, phone etiquette, grooming and hygiene. ‘Reaching Excellence’

‘Reaching Excellence’ was a motivational session Career guidance sessions organised by CIMA for students who were planning to take their Advance Level exams in 2020. The session Even during this challenging period, we were able to was conducted by Prasanna Rodrigo, the media manager conduct a few career guidance programmes. The virtual of Sri Lanka Cricket. This virtual session, which was programmes ‘Student Today, Business Leader Tomorrow’ attended by over 400 students, parents and teachers, was and ‘Choose Success After A/Ls — Higher Education organised during the lockdown period as we recognised During Uncertain Times’ were the most popular sessions the need for motivation for the students during these and were open to all youth of Sri Lanka to help them uncertain times. take the next step after finishing school. The sessions were well-attended by parents, too. In addition to these sessions, we’ve also hosted a few more physical sessions ‘The Mission of Future Leaders in “New Normal”’ before the lockdown.

We organised this virtual session with the prefects of Ave Maria Convent, Negombo. Traditionally, schools hold their annual prefects’ day as a physical event. During the pandemic, CIMA was able to assist and enable an online prefects’ day with a prominent speaker. The event had a participation of over 600 school prefects and teachers joining virtually to celebrate leadership and motivate the youth of Sri Lanka in achieving more amidst the challenges that they face.

27 Student development and progression activities

The CIMA Sri Lanka progression team is at the forefront We launched a rapid revision course for students to attending to all student-related queries that include study refresh their theory and prepare for their Certificate in support, verification documents, advising the exam Business Accounting (CertBA) exams in June and July. candidates and coordinating the student progression We are happy to note that our tuition partners helped of over 10,000 registered active students in the country. develop the revision programmes and offered them for free to students. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the team’s top priority was to make sure students and members had a direct We also launched our #StudentHero campaign to channel to the staff even though the whole team was recognise all CertBA exam complete students who operating from home since March 2020. attempted and completed their CertBA exams amidst a global pandemic and gave due recognition to the parents We adapted quickly with the introduction of remote and tuition partners who were behind their success. testing where students could take exams and coordinated In total, around 160 students completed their CertBA with lecturers and tuition partners in developing a exams between January and to August 2020. method that suited student requirements. Exams were very briefly paused in April but were back on track from May onwards, with almost half of the exams delivered since then completed through the remote route.

We introduced the following online sessions together with our tuition partners that were very well-attended by students taking case study exams in May, August and November:

1. Web-based sector expert sessions jointly organised in partnership with Acuity Knowledge Partners:

2. Case study exam support revision sessions

3. Case study exam techniques and student guidance programme

4. Mock exams and case study familiarisation support

28 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Focusing on OT exams at the professional level, Re-registration offer for lapsed students who we conducted a revision programme in association wished to reactivate by only paying for the 2021 with a local tuition partner in July and August. student subscription fee We had over 400 registrations and the sessions Discounted revision and mock exam facilities were well-received by the students. via online portals In addition to the listed activities above, the team The team has been matching students with the resources has been connecting with both active and lapsed required to complete the assessments and progress with students from March to introduce special the CIMA professional qualification. We are also planning arrangements which included: a part-qualification and exam complete recognition Free exam re-sit offers, which were introduced event for January 2021 to recognise all the hard work from June to July and then reintroduced from students have put in for the CIMA Certificate in Business October to December Accounting, CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting, CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting Free revision courses and achieving exam complete status.

29 Member services 2020

We held our 2020 graduation ceremony in January to celebrate 210 exam complete students, 231 ACMA designation holders and 11 FCMA designation holders. This event was graced by Amal Ratnayake, CIMA President 2019–2020.

30 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka 31 We also conducted virtual membership assessments via Zoom. We successfully conducted five virtual assessment sessions that converted 300 exam complete students to become CIMA members.

Alongside this, we held five virtual workshops with local and overseas assessors to introduce membership requirements and assessment criteria to exam complete students and students who were yet to sit for their Strategic Case Study. Additional workshops called ‘Finer Points on Your Application’ were conducted to support students in filling out their applications before submission.

During the year, several newly elected members were profiled where they spoke about their experience in facing the virtual assessments and the experience they gained as CIMA members to encourage exam complete students to apply for membership.

32 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Welcome, new FCMA designation holders! Joseph Thomas Priyanke Perera, FCMA, CGMA

CIMA Sri Lanka conducted many fellowship application Udugampolage Lasantha Jayatissa workshops to support our valued senior and C-suite Perera, FCMA, CGMA members in obtaining memberships. Yohani Frances Natasha Perera, FCMA, CGMA

This year, we welcomed the following members: Nishani Ariyawansa Pieris, FCMA, CGMA

Aloka Abeysekera, FCMA, CGMA Wajira Punchihewa, FCMA, CGMA

Rasika Akuretiyagama, FCMA, CGMA Surangi Nadeeka Rajapaksha, FCMA, CGMA

Thushan Ayendra Amarasuriya, FCMA, CGMA Ruwan Ranaweera, FCMA, CGMA

Dalawella Gurukandage Chathuranga Michael Siva, FCMA, CGMA Amarasuriya, FCMA, CGMA Tuan Sallay, FCMA, CGMA Joseph Gihan Adisha Cooray, FCMA, CGMA Parameshwaran Thuraichelvan, FCMA, CGMA Gallage Kusal De Silva, FCMA, CGMA Sathira Weerakoon, FCMA, CGMA Hikkaduwa Liyanage Sonal Vibeesh De Silva, FCMA, CGMA Chandana Sampath Wickramarachchi, FCMA, CGMA

Dominique Gavin D’Rosairo, FCMA, CGMA Nilushi Shanthamala Wijesiri, FCMA, CGMA

Devika Dhanapala, FCMA, CGMA Prasadi Wijayasinghe, FCMA, CGMA

Priyadharshana Ekanayake, FCMA, CGMA

Nilesha Fernando, FCMA, CGMA Member Mentoring Programme Mohamed Mureez Mohamed Fareez, FCMA, CGMA The COVID-19 crisis has caused difficult times for our Gardihewa Fonseka, FCMA, CGMA students and members, and to help we are initiating Rasitha Poojitha Gunawardana, FCMA, CGMA a mentoring programme for our young members.

Andree Rodrigo, FCMA, CGMA Through the programme, we hope to provide a platform for young members to develop themselves and to excel Chaminda Prabhath, FCMA, CGMA in their careers, through learning from established CIMA Dinal G.M. Samaranayake, FCMA, CGMA members and business leaders. The programme was Gayan Gunawardane, FCMA, CGMA launched in June 2020 and involved six group meetings with a business leader over six months. The mentor will Prasanna Jayasekera, FCMA, CGMA present their perspective of leadership using examples Wanni Kumara, FCMA, CGMA from their career and real-life situations.

Thusitha Kumara, FCMA, CGMA We anticipate that the relationships and networks that get Nalin Karunaratne, FCMA, CGMA established between the mentor and the mentee as well as between the mentees themselves will be an additional Indika Liyanahewage, FCMA, CGMA benefit of this programme.

Roshan Liyanage, FCMA, CGMA Karen Yolande Nagahawatte, FCMA, CGMA

Mohamed Fazli Abdul Nayeem, FCMA, CGMA

Rumman Nalir, FCMA, CGMA

Yudara Savini Pandikorala, FCMA, CGMA

33 Member recognitions

Congratulations Linus Jeganathan, ACMA, CGMA, on being appointed as Managing Director of Technomedics International Pvt Ltd.

Congratulations Indika Liyanahewage on being appointed as CEO, Eskimo Fashion Knitwear (Private) Limited.

Congratulations Anusha Mohotti, FCMA, CGMA, on being appointed as Director General of Sri Lanka Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board.

Congratulations Rushanka Silva on being appointed as Deputy Chairman, Sampath Bank PLC.

Congratulations Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne on being appointed as Executive Director — Hemas Holdings PLC.

34 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Pathway promotional activities

Coffee evenings with C-suite leaders ‘Dine With C-suites’

A series of virtual coffee sessions were held where ‘Dine With C-suites’ was an exclusive evening event CIMA case study lecturer Channa Gunewardana, FCMA, held at Shangri-La, Colombo. CGMA, and a panel of C-suite graduates answered all The event began with a brief introduction to the CIMA types of questions about the C-Suite Business & Finance C-Suite Business and Finance programme at Shangri-La programme. This session gave the participants a great Hotel’s very own co-working space Co-nnect, followed by opportunity to chat and network with their peers too. a lavish dinner at Shangri-La’s latest restaurant, Central. CIMA skills for 2021 C-Suite workshop series At the event, participants connected with Strategic Case (with certification) Study lecturer Channa Gunawardana, FCMA, CGMA, This workshop was aimed to enhance skill sets and CIMA members who are alumni of the C-Suite in leadership, people and business with learning programme, who shared their experiences on their outcomes such as: journey and clarified grey areas regarding the pathway.

1. Sharpening critical skills and skill sets, including leadership and the latest digital skills

2. Discussions with practical case study scenarios helping you to perform better in business and working life

3. Gaining tools to become a strategic business partner with good decision-making skills to create value for your company

4. Sharpening your skills and providing relevant insights for your organisation to stay future-focused

5. Unique opportunity to network with senior C-level leaders across Sri Lanka

6. Simulation assessment leading to a certification

35 Offers for our students

Due to the global pandemic and economic hardships many face, we offered a registration fee waiver for all Sri Lankan students embarking on CIMA studies, which saved them 55,000 Sri Lankan rupees.

Here are six ways a CIMA professional qualification gives you a boost:

Increases your earning potential: CIMA-qualified students earn LKR220,000 (on average) each month

Gets you noticed by top employers: Our Top Employer and Corporate Partner

Builds networks to give you plenty of options when you’re looking for jobs

Enhances your employability. The CIMA syllabus teaches you technical, leadership, finance, management and digital skills, as well as a strong core of ethics and professional conduct — all traits that employers seek

Expands your career horizons. The CGMA designation you’ll get when you complete the CIMA qualification is recognised worldwide, opening opportunities for you that go beyond borders

Secures your professional future. The CIMA syllabus is updated with the latest skills and competencies today’s marketplace needs, which helps you stay relevant even during uncertain times

36 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka CIMA Sri Lanka Toastmasters Club (TMC) Update

‘Empowered to Go Beyond’ was the 2019—20 theme of The CIMA Toastmasters Club was founded in 2004 to the CIMA Toastmasters Club and accordingly the club provide CIMA members and passed finalists with an progressively worked towards achieving it. opportunity to improve their communication skills and to create and shape professionals who are equipped to The club successfully had members appointed to the meet the challenges of today. The CIMA Toastmasters District Council of District 82, which is an important Club meets every second and fourth Wednesday of achievement for the club. Distinguished Toastmaster each month at 6.30pm at the CIMA Sri Lanka Division Probodini Seneviratne was appointed as the Assistant but with the pandemic situation, they meet via Zoom. Division Director — Division E (Club Growth) in 2019–20 The meetings are structured in a way that would add and she has subsequently been appointed as the value to each member in terms of hands-on experience Division Director — Division E in 2020–21. in public speaking, constructive evaluation, and learn from Toastmaster Nashitha Mohammed was appointed as the award-winning public speakers. The club also provides Area Director of Area E5 in 2019–20 and Toastmaster opportunities for members to socialise and build useful Shanika Gunasekara has been appointed as the Area networks with others in the CIMA fraternity, empowering Director of Area E4 for 2020–21. every CIMA Toastmaster member to go beyond.

The club also won the Presidents’ Distinguished Award, Smedley Award and Talk-Up-Toastmasters award from Toastmasters International, having added the required number of new members. Members of the club made CIMA proud as three members competed in the Division Level and won several awards.

Two CIMA Toastmasters, Wirendra Wannakuwatta and Minali Fernandopulle were the MCs (Master of Ceremonies) for the CIMA Convocation ceremony held in January 2020. In addition to that, many CIMA Toastmasters took up roles in Toastmasters events, the Division Conference, Area Contests and Officer Training Programmes.

CIMA Toastmasters completed two Speechcraft programmes and CIMA members who joined these programmes enrolled with the Toastmasters Club to polish their public speaking and leadership skills.

37 CIMASS activities in 2020

The CIMA Students’ Society (CIMASS) is the student The CIMA Mind Challenge is a corporate quiz competition body of CIMA Sri Lanka and organises a wide array of that CIMASS has been organising for the past 21 years. events for the benefit of CIMA students and members During the pandemic, CIMASS organised its first Digital throughout the year. The year 2020 marks the 26th CIMA Mind Challenge. The competition entailed an online year of CIMASS. escape room and scavenger hunt that attracted 30 teams representing well-known corporate brands, institutes and The CIMASS calendar for the year 2020 began with passionate individual quizzers. ‘Catalyst by CIMA Launchpad’, a project that was organised to create awareness of entrepreneurship The latest CIMASS initiative is a publication that guides among students. This project was a workshop in the students to professional life. The publication will consist form of a competition that helped students understand of interviews with successful personalities in the the process of converting an idea into a viable business corporate world, an analysis of the career paths open venture. The competition was completed with the in the world of finance, insights from HR executives participation of 25 teams representing national and from leading corporates in the country and also various private schools and universities, who received guidance tips and advice to students that can help them in their from a panel consisting of 10 mentors from varying professional and student life. The publication, Insights by business backgrounds. CIMASS was available to students in December 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CIMASS recruitment Stay tuned to the CIMASS social media channel drives and subcommittee formations were done virtually. for further updates: In May, CIMASS organised a webcast specifically for facebook.com/CIMASSofficial students and youth to demystify the impact the COVID-19 instagram.com/cimass_official pandemic would have on a few critical aspects of their lives. The discussion revolved around challenges and opportunities that students face due to the pandemic in the job market, how it would affect the higher education opportunities available for them and tips on how time in lockdown could be used productively.

38 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Registered tuition providers Registered Tuition Providers

Ampara Colombo

Institute of Global Knowledge Aspire Business School Icon Business School T: 0772 364 076 T: 0778 551 403, 0777 227 792 T: 0770 552 555

Colombo

Imperial College Colombo www.nanaska.com Wisdom Business Academy T: 114 515 253, 0773 918 777 T: 0773 669 817 T: 2370995–6

Jaffna Kandy Kurunegala

EP Academy Imperial College Kandy Genius School of Professional T: 0212 216 400, 0776 284 845 T: 814 950 950, 0773 919 777 Studies T: 0773 761 999

Matara Negombo

Apex Business Academy (Pvt) Ltd Benedict XVI Catholic Institute T: 0412 229 555, 0716 219 219 of Higher Education T: 0766 989 797

39 Our corporate partners 2020

Corporate partners are part of CIMA’s prestigious business network and form a distinct group of companies with a passion for excellence and desire to take part in the development of globally competitive, transformational leaders and integrated thinkers.

This strategic partnership plays a crucial role in shaping the future of global business.

Corporate partners enjoy engaging with and recruiting CIMA talent, mentoring future leaders, networking with like-minded business executives, supporting innovation in the accounting profession and exchanging insights for the future through lively dialogues.

40 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka A revolution in professional education

41 The team behind the scenes

42 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka Contact us:

356 Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 05 M: +94 76 2233 880 | +94 76 3773 880 E: [email protected] F: facebook.com/CIMASriLanka

Founded by AICPA and CIMA, the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants powers leaders in accounting and finance around the globe. © 2021 Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. All rights reserved. CIMA and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants are trademarks of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and are registered in the UK and other countries. The Globe Design is a trademark of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. 2012-06979

43 Reflections — The official digest of CIMA Sri Lanka