Sri Lanka’s first management accreditation for tourism unveiled

Dec 07, 2016 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s first ever professional management accreditation for its surging tourism and hospitality sector has been unveiled in Colombo. Certified Management Accountants Sri Lanka has introduced this specialized Finance and Management Accounting programme for the hospitality industry in collaboration with Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management. Inaugurating the Certified Hospitality Finance & Management Accountant three-year qualification, Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen said that as a result of the new certification, the hospitality industry will have competent professionals. “The Hospitality Industry in Sri Lanka is the third biggest foreign exchange earner, and a growing sector,” Bathiudeen said. It is expected that the tourist arrivals to the country would exceed 3.5 Million by 2020. “The direct employment in the hospitality industry is expected to exceed 250,000 by then.” This programme will also benefit those at the senior management levels, to understand finance and cost management for decision making and growth of the organization. President of CMA Sri Lanka Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala addressing the event said that this is important due to the rapid expansion of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka. This is also the first ever Sri Lankan professional qualification to be jointly offered by two institutes. CMA Sri Lanka which comes under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce was set up in 1999 with the technical assistance of CPA Canada.