COMPILED BY Tamara Rebeira
BUILDING A FUTURE READY PROFESSION
Heshana Kuruppu underscores CA Sri Lanka’s role in national development
Q: What is your overarching vision for Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), particularly in the context of a recovering national economy?
A: My vision is to position CA Sri Lanka as a transformative force in rebuilding and future proofing the nation and its economy.
We are more than a professional body; we’re a community that is committed to Sri Lanka’s progress and prosperity.
In challenging times, CA Sri Lanka has consistently provided expert guidance to businesses, government and stakeholders. Our work is grounded in the core values of collaboration, excellence, nurturing and integrity – strengthened by over 65 years of service.
At the beginning of my tenure, we launched our strategic direction under the banner FRONT – a commitment to being future ready, embracing opportunities, nurturing change and building trust. This guides our continuous learning and global competitiveness.
Our members are key contributors to public interest and private sector growth, holding influential roles across industries – including C-suite and board positions.
In response to global mobility and the rise of remote work, we are promoting accountancy as a service export. With over 30 percent of our members overseas, we’re expanding our global footprint through partnerships and chapters, supporting knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) and business process outsourcing (BPO) growth, and international opportunities.
My goal is for CA Sri Lanka to be recognised not only as a professional body but a strategic partner in building a resilient, inclusive and future ready economy.
Q: How is the institute addressing the growing demand for Sri Lankan accountancy professionals overseas while retaining talent locally?
A: In the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s most severe economic crisis, bold strategies and fresh thinking are essential. At CA Sri Lanka, we believe our greatest asset is talent.
Our mission is to empower professionals to thrive globally while also encouraging them to contribute meaningfully at home.
As the national body of accountants, the institute remains committed to advancing the profession and inspiring the next generation of financial leaders. In 2024, we recorded our highest student intake in nearly a decade with 8,686 new registrations, reflecting growing trust in our qualification and the expanding opportunities the CA pathway offers.
By increasing access and supporting student success, we’re equipping more young Sri Lankans to meet the rising demand for skilled professionals both locally and overseas.
And with a large portion of our members working overseas, we’re expanding our global reach through strategic alliances and international chapters.
At the same time, we are promoting accountancy as a service export, enabling professionals to serve international clients from Sri Lanka. By investing in digital infrastructure, upskilling and entrepreneurial support, we aim to turn brain drain into brain gain.
Q: What role do you see CA Sri Lanka playing in nurturing young professionals, and bridging the gap between academia and industry?
A: CA Sri Lanka plays a vital role in developing future ready professionals by bridging the gap between academia and industry. We offer exemptions to students from recognised institutions including state universities, facilitating a seamless transition into a globally recognised qualification.
To date, the institute has signed 13 MOUs with state universities and two with non-state universities, to promote collaboration, enhance practical exposure and align academic learning with industry needs.
A key differentiator of the CA qualification is its built-in three year practical training component, enabling students to apply theory in real-world settings and develop essential workplace competencies.
Further strengthening our presence in higher education, CA Sri Lanka – through its academic arm SAB Campus – offers two degree programmes – viz. a BSc in Applied Accounting and the Bachelor of Management Honours in Business Analytics. Introduced in 2013 to expand access beyond the limited state university intake, these degrees are academically rigorous, affordably priced and include a unique two year internship.
Q: What roles do overseas members play in shaping the future of the institute and contributing back to the local economy or profession?
A: The global recognition of our qualification is reflected in direct entry pathways granted by leading international accounting bodies – a testament to our programme’s high standards and the professionalism of our members abroad.
Today, chartered accountants from CA Sri Lanka work in over 50 countries, serving as brand ambassadors for the institute and nation alike. This strengthens our international standing.
We have 10 active overseas chapters in Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Ireland, Kuwait, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the UK. These chapters facilitate professional development, promote Sri Lanka, and support foreign investments through forums, conferences and networking events.
Increasingly, our chapters play a vital role in economic diplomacy, building links between Sri Lanka and the international community. A core focus is on expanding outsourcing networks, allowing Sri Lankan professionals to serve global clients remotely.
At home, we’re also driving entrepreneurship and KPO-BPO focussed initiatives, to empower chartered accountants to lead in innovation and business, thereby furthering our vision of a globally recognised professional body with national impact.
Heshana Kuruppu is the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF SRI LANKA
For over 65 years, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) has been at the forefront of professional excellence, shaping the nation’s accountancy and finance landscape.
Established by an Act of Parliament in 1959, CA Sri Lanka is the sole authority for setting accounting and auditing standards in the country, in full alignment with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
With a proud legacy of producing over 9,000 chartered accountants and 28,000 mid level professionals, CA Sri Lanka remains a leader in accountancy education with more than 35,000 students currently pursuing its globally recognised qualification.
Telephone 2352000 | Email info@casrilanka.org |Website www.casrilanka.com