CA Students’ Society to host 40th Int’l CA Students’ Conference on Sept. 1

The CA Students’ Society of CA Sri Lanka will host the 40th International CA Students’ Conference 2026 on September 1 at Monarch Imperial under the theme ‘Legacy 40: Orchestrating the Profession’s Future’, bringing together CA students, professionals, business leaders and delegates from across the region.

The conference marks the 40th edition of the annual event, celebrating four decades of contributions by generations of students, professionals and leaders to the growth of the Chartered Accountancy profession.

Chairperson of the Conference Hasala Sithum said the milestone represents not only the evolution of the profession but also the friendships, ideas and experiences shared across generations.

He said technology would continue to transform the profession, but would not replace the need for human judgement and professional responsibility.

“The Chartered Accountant of the future will need more than technical knowledge. Technical competence will always be our foundation, but the profession also demands leadership, strategic thinking, technology, communication, ethical judgement and a wider understanding of business and society.”

He noted that while artificial intelligence could support routine tasks, automation improve efficiency and data provide better information, professional scepticism, ethical courage, leadership, empathy and responsible decision-making would remain fundamental to the profession.

“That is why we believe the future CA must be both technically capable and professionally responsible,” he said.

Chairman Securities and Exchange Commission Senior Prof. H. Dissabandara will deliver the Chief Guest Address titled ‘Building the Brand Within – How CA Students Preserve and Elevate the Profession’, focusing on the evolving role of Chartered Accountants and the importance of building the profession’s reputation.

The conference will also feature an Expert Panel Discussion, providing participants with a 360-degree perspective on career pathways available to Chartered Accountants. The panel will bring together professionals representing entrepreneurship, global business, economics and the public sector.

Another key feature will be the Student Panel Discussion, titled ‘One Region, One Future: Student Perspectives on Leading the Next Chapter of Global Accountancy’.

The panel will bring together five student representatives from SAFA member associations across South Asia and will be moderated by a student leader from Sri Lanka.

Discussions will focus on the CA brand, challenges shared by students across the region and how the next generation can contribute to shaping the future of the profession.