International graduates from 17 countries · Three diplomatic missions · Three renewed strategic partnerships
Colombo became a meeting point for the global management accounting profession as the ICMA (Australia & New Zealand) Global Graduation Ceremony and Membership Investiture 2026 was held on 28 October at the Marino Beach Hotel, demonstrating Sri Lanka’s growing prominence as a premier destination for professional education.
Over 200 graduates from the 2024/25 and 2025/26 batches, including 50 international graduates from 17 countries, were admitted to membership by Prof Janek Ratnatunga, Global Chief Executive Officer, ICMA (Australia & New Zealand), who chaired the ceremony. The evening affirmed Sri Lanka’s role as the global hub for ICMA’s Graduate Management Accountant (GMA) live online programme.
The significant global footprint of this year’s graduation reflects the success of ICMA (Australia & New Zealand), also known as CMA ANZ, which has maintained a strong presence in Sri Lanka for more than 25 years. Its programmes are delivered locally by The Academy of Finance, which has trained more than 10,000 professionals.
Underlining the global reach of the profession, three visiting Regional Directors namely, Prof Dr Ana Sopanah from Indonesia, Kumar Khatiwada from Nepal and Shakeeb Ahamed from the UAE were present at the event
The ceremony was graced by three diplomatic missions. His Excellency Mr David Pine, High Commissioner of New Zealand, was the Chief Guest. Mr Ismail Mamdhooh, Minister Counsellor of the Maldives High Commission, was the Special Guest of Honour, representing His Excellency Mr Masood Imad, High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives. Mr Xin Shi, First Secretary of the Australian High Commission, was the Guest of Honour, representing His Excellency Mr Matthew Duckworth, High Commissioner of Australia. Dr Chris D’Souza, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ICMA, Kapila Dodamgoda, Regional Director, and Ashan Nissanka, Honorary President, ICMA Australia Sri Lanka Region, were in attendance.
Speaking at the ceremony, Kapila Dodamgoda said, “Sri Lanka is the global hub for our Graduate Management Accountant programme, and this evening shows why. Our graduates are working professionals who qualified while building their careers and families, and we are proud to welcome them as members.”
Medals for Academic Excellence were presented by the Chief Guest for the best performance in each subject.
ICMA Medals of Excellence were also presented by the Guest of Honour to members of the Regional Advisory Council, in recognition of their excellent and long-standing service to the profession in Sri Lanka.
Demonstrating its commitment to cross-industry professional growth, ICMA symbolically exchanged Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three partners including the Institute of Chartered Corporate Secretaries of Sri Lanka (ICCSSL), the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and the Association of Professional Bankers (APB).
The evening also featured the introduction of The Legacy Award, a new accolade presented by the Special Guest of Honour to recognise the three longest-serving lecturers on the CMA panel. Priyantha Herath, Sanjeewa Guruge and Chaaminda Kumarasiri who have each devoted more than a decade to shaping the next generation of business leaders were presented tokens of appreciation. Their plaques carried a simple tribute - ‘Their success is your legacy.’
The valedictory address was delivered by gold medallist Saranga Perera, COO and CIO of a Spain-based technology services group. Perera, who completed the full Graduate Conversion Programme while managing clients across Spain and Mexico, exemplified the programme’s global reach.
The cohort of International Graduates from 17 countries at with ICMA (Australia & New Zealand) Global Graduation Ceremony 2026
Distinguished guests, graduates and their families at the ICMA (Australia & New Zealand) Global Graduation Ceremony 2026
Prof Dr Ana Sopanah, Indonesia, receives a special award at the ICMA (Australia & New Zealand) Global Graduation Ceremony 2026
Photo Caption: Attending the ICMA (Australia & New Zealand) Global Graduation Ceremony and Membership Investiture 2026 held recently, Chief Guest H.E. Mr David Pine, High Commissioner of New Zealand, Special Guest of Honour, Mr Ismail Mamdhooh, Minister Counsellor, Maldives High Commission, Guest of Honour, Mr Xin Shi, First Secretary, Australian High Commission and Prof Janek Ratnatunga, Global CEO, ICMA (Australia & New Zealand).
