Eleven Sri Lankan prize winners, four hundred and thirteen exam completed students and two hundred and six newly elected Associate and Fellow members received their certificates and gold medals during the biannual convocation of CIMA, Sri Lanka division held at the Cinnamon Grand for exam completed students and at Water's Edge for newly elected Associate and Fellow members.

Chief Guest George Glass with the distinguished guests at the Convocation

Chief Guest Mr. George Glass CIMA Global President congratulated the winners on their accomplishment and said 'I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to the 413 students who have completed their written examinations, the 190 new Associates, the 16 new Fellows and the 11 prize winners on their accomplishments this year. You are members of a global CIMA community of 183,000 students and members in 168 countries that are uniquely skilled to help create successful and sustainable organizations.

To become a member of CIMA, you have to be passionate about business and finance. The institute is not ashamed of the fact that its syllabus is rigorous and demanding. The examination process itself is designed to sift the best from the rest. Those who have joined the CIMA community have proved themselves to be first class finance professionals with the potential to become the business leaders of the future.

I would also like to extend my thanks and appreciation to all family members, tuition providers, employers, colleagues and friends who have provided valuable support to students in their studies and to members as they take on greater responsibility in their careers.

A growing number of organizations around the world are recognizing that the unique skills and insight provided by chartered management accountants have become an essential part of the business toolkit. Because CIMA's formula is underpinned by an emphasis on ethics and good governance, our members are not only the best management accountants in the world but they work with an adherence to integrity that is essential if businesses are to prosper in the long term.

As you know, CIMA's motto is, 'honesty, accuracy, justice'. If CIMA members are to make their contribution to the future of organizations in both the public and private sector, they must use the skills outlined by CIMA's motto to become business partners and, beyond that, business navigators who can steer business through the challenges ahead, CIMA members in Sri Lanka are ideally equipped to play an essential role in developing the country's position on the world stage by helping its organizations to enhance their reputation for diligence and excellence. I wish you every success in your future careers'.

Shiromi Rajendra Chairman, CIMA Sri Lanka Board said ' On behalf of the CIMA Sri Lanka Board and the CIMA community let me congratulate the exam completed students, new associate members, new fellow members and the prize winners on their success and commend the 11 prize winners who have excelled in their professional studies for their outstanding performance. We take great pride in your achievement and hope that your success will inspire and encourage the 13,000 strong and growing CIMA students' body in Sri Lanka.

The CIMA syllabus is designed to deliver a strong understanding of all aspects of business enabling our members to contribute in many areas of an organization. The training is designed to prepare people for a career in busi

ess and the CIMA qualification is recognized as the most relevant finance qualification for business.
As you stand at the threshold of your professional life we hope you will utilize the skills and competencies achieved during your period of training to maximize your career potential and use CIMA's wide range of products and services to continually develop yourselves and get updated on the changes in the business world.

Your achievement is a result of your dedication and hard work. It is a success you truly deserve and an achievement you have truly earned. No doubt many of you would have had considerable support from your families, employers, tuition colleges and numerous others. On behalf of CIMA Sri Lanka I would like to thank them for their contribution to your success.

May I once again congratulate you on your success and wish you all the very best in your future endeavours. Guest of Honour Prof Christopher Prince, Executive Dean, Birmingham City Business School congratulated the winners on their accomplishment and said 'I would like to take this opportunity to offer my warmest congratulations to those of you who have just completed your examinations. I would also like to offer my congratulations to associate members, fellow members and prize winners on their significant achievements.

Birmingham City Business School is proud to be associated with today's Convocation and with CIMA, the world's largest professional body of management accountants. In the UK, the demand for CIMA professionals currently outstrips supply, particularly in larger blue chip companies. Organizations need leaders with advisory or management accounting knowledge and competencies. Like CIMA, Birmingham City Business School is committed to ensuring graduates are prepared to meet such demands, as well as, developing the next generation of business leaders. We have no doubt the CIMA qualifications we help deliver will provide you with the knowledge and confidence required to succeed in your chosen career, broadening your employment opportunities and employability and better preparing you to take on finance leadership roles in the future.

With continuous professional development in mind, the Business School has been working closely with CIMA and employers, to launch a full-time MSc Accountancy and Finance (CIMA Pathway) and Msc in Accountancy and Finance (top-up) which can be studied on a full-time or part-time basis. We are confident that employers will value the contribution that these newly validated postgraduate degree courses, combined with the CIMA qualification, will make to their organizations'. Both convocations were well represented by members of the CIMA Board and officials from Birmingham City Business School.