At the 21st Annual General Meeting of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants held recently at its new branch office at 9, Rosmead Place, Mr. T. L. Raj, who had been re-elected for the seventh year outlined the progress made during the past year, highlighting the fact that the total strength of students and members had grown substantially and the branch office had relocated to its present address.

A new qualification, Certified Accounting Technicians (CAT) had been launched in October 1997, at which Mr. Mark Protherough and Ms. Ann Motts from the parent body had been present.

He announced that special concessions had been obtained to waive exemption fees of members and passed finalists of CIMA and ICASL. Also that there would be a free issue of original ACCA approved study texts to registered students.

The visit of Ms. Helen Brand from ACCA, UK he said, had paved the way to move the association’s eligibility with the relevant regulatory authorities for recognition of the association’s qualifications to act as auditors and secretaries in Sri Lanka.

A presentation was made to past finalists of December 1997 by Mr. Suraj Fernando at the invitation of the president.

The following office bearers were elected for the year 1998/99:

Secretary: U. H. Palihakkara; Treasurer: Dilshan Fernando; Editor Rajiv Casie Chetty, Public Relations officer J. Rasiah, Education Officer Anupriya Wijeweera. A Committee comprising Ajith Tudawe, Shagufa Jamaldeen, Ashani Kiridena, Sri Skanthan, K. Gnanenthiran, V. Kandasamy and Shantha Kumar, and a student Committee of George Fernando and Deshantha de Alwis was also appointed.