The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka), together with its Public Sector Wing, the Association of Public Finance Accountants of Sri Lanka (APFASL), inaugurated the Annual Oration in honour of V. Kanagasabapathy, marking the launch of a lecture series dedicated to honouring one of Sri Lanka’s foremost contributors to public financial management and public sector accounting.
Held at the CA Sri Lanka Auditorium on 6 August, the inaugural event attracted a large gathering of public sector professionals, senior government officials, Chartered Accountants, academics, students, and well-wishers, reflecting the significance of the occasion and the enduring legacy of Kanagasabapathy. Among the special guests were Tishan Subasinghe, President of CA Sri Lanka; V. Kanagasabapathy; K. V. C. Dilrukshi, President of APFASL; Lakmali Priyangika, Chief Executive Officer of CA Sri Lanka; together with representatives from the public sector and the accounting profession.
The highlight of the evening was the inaugural oration delivered by Senior Professor Ajantha Dharmasiri, one of Sri Lanka’s leading academics and thought leaders in leadership and organisational development, on the theme: “Leading Public Sector Transformation: People, Performance, and Perseverance.”
Delivering the oration Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri highlighted the urgent need to modernise Sri Lanka’s public sector through strong leadership, improved performance, and a culture of continuous transformation.
He emphasised that overcoming bureaucratic inefficiencies, institutional resistance, and outdated practices requires authentic leadership, ethical values, and citizen-focused approaches. He highlighted the 5 Es for Excellence – Efficiency, Effectiveness, Efficacy, Ethicality, and Empathy – as key principles for building high-performing public institutions.
Dharmasiri also stressed the importance of digital transformation in improving public service delivery, while addressing challenges such as institutional inertia, digital gaps, and skills shortages.Drawing on both global perspectives and local realities, Professor Dharmasiri demonstrated how a modern, digitally ready public service can act as a catalyst for national development and play a pivotal role in supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity following the country’s recent economic challenges.
Speaking at the event, Subasinghe explained the vision behind establishing the Annual Oration in honour of Kanagasabapathy. He noted that the lecture series serves as a lasting tribute to Kanagasabapathy’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s public finance management landscape and his commitment to advancing professional standards in public sector accounting and financial management.
Kanagasabapathy is a Senior Chartered Accountant and an inductee of the CA Sri Lanka Hall of Fame.
