‘ICASL Library’ upgrades with knowledge to meet the demands of its rising Membership

A unique feature of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (ICASL) is its library, that has catered the variable needs of thousands of students and members over the past 50 years welcoming them warmly to the path of knowledge with latest volumes that supplement their study course and professional careers.
The ICASL library was recently upgraded with over 600 volumes with the intention of providing the latest knowledge to its membership body that comprises of over 30,000 registered students and 4,000 odd members. With this new upgrading the collection of books in the library exceeds the 20,000 mark, which includes books by leading authors that carry the subjects of accounting, marketing, management, human resources, information technology, law, economics and other disciplines. Furthermore there are online foreign journals available for students and members on the ICASL web which is of great use for their study and professional career purposes.
The ICASL library is always packed with students due to the services it renders to them including a separate e-learning area, internet and e-mail facilities and friendly staff to guide them for all their needs. The Library was air conditioned and the lighting system was also altered to provide the students a good atmosphere for their studies. The Library is equipped with international study materials which are vitally important for students to think in par with the international standards and trends of the subject. Leading business and accounting magazines, popular journals are also commonly seen at the ICASL library which attracts more students to become aware of the changes and innovations in the world business and accounting arena. The Library of ICASL has also been of great use for institute members and to the corporate sector who regularly utilizes its resources to meet the demands of their professional careers. A separate publication center where all ICASL publications and other relevant material available is also included in the new library. The ICASL library network is also spread to other parts of the country with the establishment of Branch Libraries in Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara and Anuradhapura for the convenience of our outstation students.
Speaking of the fast upgrading nature of the library Mr. Nishan Fernando President of ICASL stated that ‘We are delighted with the recent growth and development of the library and it would be a welcoming space for all, and everyone can now have easy access to the vast array of facilities we offer which supplement’s the students during their course of study at the institute and be of great use for members for their Continuous Professional Development activities’. Speaking of the future growth of the library Mr. Ganaka Amarasinghe ICASL Library Committee Chairman stated that the institute intends to develop the facilities of the library further, in order to enhance and nourish the cream of talent bestowed in our potential student population.
The ICASL which is a globally recognized local accounting qualification has produced many valued intellectuals who contribute to the economy from all over the world. The student body of the institute has been growing gradually during the past 50 years and presently is prided of having over 30,000 registered students who have placed their future in the hands of the institute. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, which is the sole authority in setting up Accounting and Auditing Standards in Sri Lanka, was constituted by the Act No. 23 of the Parliament in 1959.Presently, the membership strength is more than 3500 of which, approximately 750 are based overseas and they are engaged in diverse sectors across commerce and industry, academia, government and public practice.