ACCA Sri Lanka marked a significant milestone in its professional calendar with the successful hosting of the New Member Ceremony 2026, held at The Studio, Cinnamon Life, Colombo. The event brought together newly qualified members, senior professionals, and distinguished guests to celebrate achievement, commitment, and the beginning of a new professional journey within the ACCA global network.
The ceremony commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Prasenna Balachandran, Chairman of the Member Network Panel (MNP), who set the tone for the evening by reflecting on the values of discipline, integrity, and continuous professional growth that define the ACCA qualification.
A virtual address by Melani Proffit, ACCA Global President, followed, adding an international dimension to the programme and reinforcing ACCA’s global reach and connectivity. The evening also featured an inspiring address by Chief Guest, ACCA member from Malaysia, Sim Siew Shan, Group CFO Dialog Axiata PLC, who shared her professional journey and experiences, offering valuable insights to the newly inducted members.
Recognising excellence within the community, Mahesh Semage was named ACCA Advocate of the Year 2025, while Lahiru Karunarathna received a Special Recognition award. The Public Sector Advocate of the Year 2025 was awarded to Uresha Walpitagama, acknowledging impactful contributions within the public sector space.
A thought-provoking address titled “Rooted in Values, Strengthened by Discipline” was delivered by Suren Rajakarier, Country Managing Partner KPMG Sri Lanka, highlighting the importance of ethical grounding and professional discipline in building sustainable careers. This was further complemented by a keynote session from Prof. Thushari Silva of the Sri Lanka Association for Artificial Intelligence, who shared perspectives on emerging technologies and their intersection with the finance and accounting profession. “Counting on Intelligence: The Future of Accountancy in the Age of AI” .
A defining moment of the evening was the Members’ Oath, led by Dr. Prasenna Balachandran, followed by the formal presentation of ACCA lapel pins to the newly qualified members, symbolising their entry into the global ACCA community. The event also included recognition of FCCA members for their continued professional excellence and contribution to the profession.
The ceremony concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Buddhi Pathiraja, Vice Chair of the Member Network Panel, who congratulated the new members and encouraged them to uphold the values of ACCA while contributing meaningfully to the profession and society.
The ACCA Sri Lanka New Member Ceremony 2026 stood as a proud celebration of achievement and a reaffirmation of ACCA’s commitment to developing future-ready finance professionals grounded in ethics, excellence, and global perspective.
Photo Caption: The newly qualified ACCA members and the FCCA members recognised for their professional excellence and contributions to the profession.
