Business
Pace at which young CAs leave SL has increased over past 18 months – CA Sri Lanka president
By Hiran H.Senewiratne
The speed at which young Chartered Accountants leave for other countries has increased during the last 18 months due to the prevailing economic crisis in Sri Lanka, president, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) Sanjaya Bandara said.
“At present, out of 9000 members more than 40 percent has already left the country. But during the last 18 months, the number of young qualified Chartered Accountants going overseas has increased in a considerable manner, Bandara told a media briefing called to announced the acceptance of entries for CA Sri Lanka’s prestigious event, TAGS Awards 2023, which will be held on December 12 at Shangri La Hotel, Colombo. The media conference was held at CA Sri Lanka’s head office in Colombo.
Bandara added: “The current economic crisis prompts renewed calls for stronger transparency, accountability and governance integrity across the board and the Anti-Corruption Bill, if implemented properly, will pave the way for a better and stronger corruption-free system.
“Since the Chartered Accountants’ qualification is well- recognized in the world, once our young accountants obtain the qualification they leave the country for better career prospects. Therefore, we have to fight corruption and increase transparency and accountability. Besides, a holistic approach needs to be adopted involving all stakeholders, along with the exercising of the political will to ensure successful implementation of policy decisions in these areas.”
Chairman TAGS Awards Committee Thivanka Jayasinghe said that last year CA Sri Lanka transformed and rebranded the Annual Report Awards ceremony as TAGS Awards, in keeping with global standards.
Jayasinghe explained that this was also done to keep pace with global developments amid an increased focus on enhancing non-financial reporting to disclose sustainability and climate change factors. “These introductions were further endorsed by recent global developments that have taken place in this area, including the International Sustainability Standard Board issuing new sustainability disclosure standards, thereby ushering in a new era in international cooperation, he said.
CSE- Director Arjuna Herath said that in financial reporting, much emphasis has been placed on non-financial factors, which will not negatively impact financial reporting.
“By having financial and nonfinancial information, prospective investors could use that data for future investments, provided this information has been reported according to proper auditing standards, Herath said.
Awards will be conferred on companies meeting the winning criteria, representing 29 industry sectors, including multinationals, blue-chips, SMEs as well as NGOs and NPOs. Organizations that produce annual reports could register for the highly acclaimed competition by providing their Annual Reports for the Financial Year ending December 31, 2022 or March 31, 2023.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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