I am pleased to share this message on the occasion of the Annual Report Awards Competition which is making a grand comeback this year.

The annual report is the single most important document for readers and potential investors to understand the financial state of a company as well as its positive contribution not only to the company’s bottom line but also to the country and society.

Known to promote transparency, corporate governance, sustainability and social responsibility for over half a century, the competition’s importance does not need to be underscored specially in a post COVID-19 scenario, specially as businesses navigate through this challenging time.

The Annual Report Awards command a history of over half a century, but with COVID entering our shores in 2020, CA Sri Lanka decided against proceeding with the competition last year, owing to the difficulties companies faced due to the sudden outbreak at the fiscal year-end and the lockdown which followed.

COVID no doubt has become an extraordinary challenge to us all, and with various new variants popping up, the pandemic is far from over. However, we can’t continue to be crushed by the pandemic, and we must use this pandemic to show our resilience, immaterial the size of our business or the percentage of our profit.

Although shrouded by negatives, the pandemic has also become an important opportunity for many of us to re-evaluate our choices and decisions. Accountants including Chartered Accountants are known to sit at the nerve centre of an organisation, and are considered gatekeepers of an organisation, therefore, we must utilize our position to promote responsible and greener investments, to ensure a safer planet for us and our future generations.

I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the winners of the 56th Annual Report Awards Competition and for being an important part of a legacy in promoting transparency, corporate governance, sustainability and social responsibility.

Manil Jayesinghe

President

CA Sri Lanka