As Sri Lanka grapples with the ongoing unprecedented crisis that has resulted in both the country and its people looking for change, efforts must be taken to move from people-centric to system-centric, with enhanced transparency and accountability, said the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka). 

The association yesterday called for the need to not only transform strategic areas in the system of the country but also changes to be made by individuals, professionals and businesses. 

“Without which Sri Lanka cannot achieve holistic country-wide transformation,” said CA Sri Lanka President Sanjara Bandara. 

“As a nation, we are not going to see the light at the end of the tunnel unless we walk forward together. 
Often, we expect change when we ourselves are not willing to change,” said Bandara addressing a fully packed audience at the inauguration of the 43rd National Conference of Chartered Accountants last evening. 

Bandara told the attending business leaders, c-suite executives and high-profile accounting personalities that the institute aims to use the conference to cultivate new thinking among our chartered accountants as well as other professionals.  Pointing out that chartered accountants have always been identified as change makers and are widely recognised as the hidden force behind the success of many organisations, Bandara called on the profession to take another progressive step forward. 

“We are also known to play an integral part in sustaining success. This time, instead of only being a co-pilot for our company, we must take one step further and help fly our country out of this current crisis,” he said.

The accounting profession can do much more to contribute to the nation and this must be matched with a solid foundation in place where ethics, transparency and accountability will be the primary cornerstones, he pointed out. 

“Without these fundamentals in place, the transformation will not be successful. So, we all must strive and ensure that we make these changes not just for our sake but also for the sake of our future generations,” he added.  The CA National Conference will hold its technical sessions today and tomorrow, under the theme ‘Transform: Self, Society, Corporate, Country’. Attending the event are over 2,000 delegates from Sri Lanka and overseas. The conference featured Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka Yasantha Kodagoda, PC as the chief guest and biodiversity scientist Rohan Pethiyagoda as the keynote speaker.