• CPA Australia grows presence in Sri Lanka with local liaison.
• Sri Lankan and Australian government officials attend official reception.
• CPA Australia and HLB Lanka Business Advisory to support local accountants.

One of the world’s largest accounting bodies convened with Sri Lankan government officials today, strengthening the organisation’s expansion plans in the country.

CPA Australia Chief Executive Officer Andrew Hunter visited Colombo from 2 to 3 August. During his visit, Mr Hunter and employees from CPA Australia’s Asia-Pacific offices met with business leaders, government officials and local members.

CPA Australia announced that it has teamed up with local firm HLB Lanka Business Advisory to establish a new liaison presence in Sri Lanka.

To celebrate CPA Australia’s announcement, an official reception was held in Colombo. This event was attended by the Honourable Shehan Semasinghe, State Minister of Finance of Sri Lanka, and Paul Stephens, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.
“The Sri Lankan economy is poised for growth. A strong and vibrant accounting and finance profession will help Sri Lanka reach its full economic potential. We want to contribute to this success in Sri Lanka,” Mr Hunter said.

“CPA Australia has more than 400 members working in Sri Lanka’s finance and accounting industry. There is a huge pool of promising young talent who are committed to pursuing an accounting or finance career.

“By expanding our presence in Sri Lanka, we are supporting the country’s economic success and improving career prospects for local professionals.”

This announcement is the next step in CPA Australia’s ongoing support for Sri Lanka’s accounting profession. CPA Australia has previously established membership pathway agreements with The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka and The Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka.

“This is a significant progress for CPA Australia’s presence in South Asia,” Mr Hunter said.

“We are indebted to our member, Mr Dinuk Hettiarachchi FCPA (Aust.), for his strong support in growing CPA Australia’s presence in Sri Lanka.”

Photo - Standing from left to right: Mr. Shawn Tan, CPA Australia, Business Development Manager - Emerging Markets, Mr. Don Poh, CPA Australia, Business Development Manager - Emerging Markets, Hon. Shehan Semasinghe, State Minister of Finance, Mr. Dinuk Hettiarachchi, Managing Partner, NHCO - Chartered Accounts, His Excellency The President, Hon. Ranil Wickramasinghe, Mr. Andrew Hunter, CPA Australia, Global CEO, Ms. Deborah Leung, CPA Australia, Executive General Manager International, Mr. Nicklaus Wee, CPA Australia, Regional Head - Vietnam, Indonesia & Emerging Markets