Skills & Education

ICMA Australia hosts 6th Graduation Ceremony honouring 225 newly Certified Management Accountants

The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) of Australia proudly celebrated the 6th Graduation Ceremony with 225 graduates receiving the prestigious Certified Management Accountant (Australia) designation.

Over 30 students from Bangladesh and India also received their degrees at the graduation ceremony. The ceremony took place at the Grand Ballroom, Hotel Galadari, Colombo, recently.

Professor Janek Ratnatunga, Global CEO, ICMA Australia, chaired the ceremony. The Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Maldives, H.E. Mr Paul Stephens, attended as the Chief Guest, alongside Guest of Honour H.E. Mr David Pine, New Zealand's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

He stated, “Today marks an important milestone as we welcome 225 new Certified Management Accountants into our global community. The achievement of the new graduates reflects academic excellence and commitment to advancing the field of management accounting. The graduation of these professionals, including those from Bangladesh and India, demonstrates ICMA Australia's expanding influence across Asia. In today's dynamic business environment, the graduates are well-equipped to provide vital strategic financial leadership for corporates to navigate complex economic networks.”

At the ceremony, outstanding graduates were recognized with gold medals for their exceptional performance in the ICMA examinations. Furthermore, special appreciation plaques were presented to CMA (Australia) Executive Council Members for their dedicated service and continued support in strengthening ICMA Australia's presence in Sri Lanka.

Additionally, three distinguished leaders from Sri Lanka's banking and business sector were also inducted as Foundation Members of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants including J Durairatnam, Chairman, DFCC Bank PLC, Bingumal Thewarathanthri, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank and Nihal Jayawardene PC, Chairman, Hatton National Bank PLC

Established in 1996 in Australia, ICMA is a global accounting body dedicated to advancing management accounting expertise. With a growing presence across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, ICMA's educational modules are recognized up to Level 9 by the New Zealand Qualification Agency (NZQA).

ICMA has established a strong presence in Sri Lanka since 1998, through a partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka. The Academy of Finance became its exclusive partner in 2006, making Sri Lanka the global hub for the Graduate Conversion Programme, under the leadership of Mr. Kapila Dodamgoda. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary in Sri Lanka, the Institute attracts approximately 300 new enrolments annually, demonstrating its strong reputation in the local business community.

From left: Senior Lecturer ICMA Australia, Sanjeewa Guruge, Regional Director Sri Lanka, Kapila Dodamgoda, New Zealand High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, H.E. David Pine, Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and Maldives, H.E. Paul Stephens, ICMA Australia Global CEO, Professor Janek Ratnatunga, ICMA Australia Global Vice President, David Cartney and ICMA Australia President, Ashan Nissanka at the 6^th Graduation Ceremony.