Ronnie and the team to advise CIMA Sri Lanka

CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) has appointed a local Consultative Group to advise on the affairs of its Sri Lankan Division during the period of suspension of the Divisional Council.

The Consultative Group will suggest appropriate arrangements for restoring an elected Divisional representative body, and will be providing a focal point for advice to CIMA on its members and student support in the region. It will also advise on the delivery of CIMA’s programme in Sri Lanka and will bring to the attention of CIMA any matters which affect the wellbeing of CIMA, its members, students, tuition providers, staff and the profession in Sri Lanka.

The appointment follows the CIMA global Council’s decision on 12 December 2008 after considering an independent review. The Division’s activities continue to function as normal. In 2008 the Division received more than 3,000 student registrations, the highest number since 2004. The Division also saw over 500 students pass the exams in May and November 2008, two-thirds higher than the previous record in 2005.

The members of the Consultative Group are: Ronnie Peiris, FCMA, Group Finance Director of John Keells Holdings PLC (who is to be Chairman of the Consultative Group); and Anil Amarasuriya, FCMA, Director, Union Bank of Colombo Ltd; Richard Ebell, FCMA, Finance Director of Hayleys PLC (who will act as spokesman for the Group); Keren Stephen, FCMA, Director, Research Delivery of Amba Research; and Asite Talwatte, FCMA, Country Managing Partner at Ernst & Young. All have strong roles in the local business community.

CIMA President Glynn Lowth said “We are indebted to our members who have agreed to serve on the Consultative Group to enable us to take matters forward in Sri Lanka. CIMA is absolutely committed to its Sri Lankan Division and the members and students within it. I hope that we can look to a good future for our members and the business community they serve in the years to come”.

Ronnie Peiris, Chairman of the Consultative Group, said: “CIMA has appointed five of us to the Consultative Group to advise it on its affairs in Sri Lanka, and amongst others, advise the CIMA Council on appropriate arrangements for the restoration of a Sri Lanka Divisional representative body under an operating model that best serves the needs of the various stakeholders in Sri Lanka whilst adhering to the principles of CIMA’s global governance prerogatives and objectives. In the meanwhile it will be business as usual for CIMA and its partners in Sri Lanka.”