DOA News Bulletin 2021

The Department of Accountancy successfully organized its 7^th Symposium of Accountancy and Finance Researchers (SACFIRE 2021) on 10^th November 2021 as a virtual conference. Ms. GKNP Rajakaruna, Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy chaired the symposium this year with the theme of “Evidence-based Transdisciplinary Approach Towards Epistemological Underpinning”. Dr. Mohammad Salah Uddin Rajib, Associate Professor, the Department of Accounting & Information Systems at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh delivered the keynote speech on the symposium. 77 researchers received an opportunity to present their research findings in 09 different tracks focusing the scope of accountancy and business finance discipline. This symposium provided an excellent opportunity for undergraduates from Sri Lankan universities to present their innovative scholarly works and engage in interactive discussions that lead to new heights in the fields of Accounting and Finance.

With the contribution of Mr. YDR Kuruppuarachchi and Ms. EAIN Ediriweera, the Department of Accountancy organized an online workshop week (08^th January 2021 – 15^th January 2021) to enhance the soft skills and academic writing skills of the Level III and IV undergraduates of the Department. Both industry experts and senior academic members of the Department facilitated for this Webinar Series.

Soft Skills Enhancement Workshops:

Interview Facing and CV Writing – Conducted by Mr. Sanjeewa Bogodage – Deputy General Manager, Group Human Resources Services at Brandix Apparels Ltd

Time and Stress Management – Conducted by Mr. Sanjeewa Madumal Gunarathne – Manager, Training & Staff Development, Ceylon Cold Stores

Advanced Presentation Skills – Conducted by Dr. RMTN Ratnayake – Assistant Lecturer, Department of Accountancy

Professional Communication – Conducted by Mr. Gayan Wickramasinghe – Group Accountant, Dinapala Group (Pvt) Ltd

Leadership & Conflict Handling – Conducted by Prof. DAM Perera – Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy

Academic Writing Skill Enhancement:

Quantitative Research & Significance of the Study – Conducted by Ms. WADKJ Wanigasekara – Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy

Literature Review – Conducted by Ms. UGVDD Gunarathne – Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy

Data Analysis using E-views – Conducted by Ms. JAGP Jayasinghe – Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy

Review Article Writing – Ms. DHSW Dissanayaka – Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy

Qualitative Research – Conducted by Dr. Kumara Uluwatta – Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy

Research Problem, Research Objectives & Questions – Conducted by Prof. DAM Perera – Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy

Data Analysis using SPSS – Conducted by Ms. UGAC Karunananda – Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy

Empirical Article Writing – Conducted by Mr. UES Kumara – Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy

Ms. GKNP Rajakaruna, Coordinator, Research and Development Committee of the Department of Accountancy organized a two-day workshop on “Bibliometric Analysis using Bibilioshiny Software” to enhance the research skills among the academic members of the faculty. The workshop was successfully conducted on 2nd December 2021 and 7th December 2021 via zoom with the participation of many academic members of the faculty. Ms. DHSW Dissanayake, Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy and PhD Scholar, facilitated this programme.

While marking the success in long-felt discussions, Mr. SMRK Samarakoon, Lecturer Department of Accountancy was able to coordinate in between the Department of Accountancy and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to enter a memorandum of understanding which provides eight subject exemptions with a waive off of exemption fee for the undergraduates of the Department. Ms. Nilusha Ranasinghe – Head of ACCA – Sri Lanka and Snr. Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe – the Vice-Chancellor, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka signed to this MoU representing each party on 09^th April 2021.

As a result of a team effort of Mr. UES Kumara, Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy, Ms. EAIN Ediriweera, Lecturer, Department of Accountancy and Ms. NPT Deshika, Assistant Lecturer, Department of Accountancy the Department successfully entered into a memorandum of understanding with HR and Marketing Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, on 16th November 2021. The department will conduct workshops, seminars, and/or training programmes for the industry professionals under this MoU which will enhance the industry relationships of the Department.

While marking the success of the tremendous efforts of Dr. Kumara Uluwatta – Course Director DAIS and Mr. SMRK Samarakoon – Academic Coordinator – DAIS, the Department of Accountancy ceremonially initiated the Diploma in Accounting Information System program on 06th March 2021. Prof. SK Gamage, The Dean of Faculty of Business Studies and Finance, Head of the Department of Accountancy Prof. DAM Perera, many senior academic members of the Department, and the registered students participated in this event to witness the successful initiation of this program.

While wishing prosperity and healthy new year for all the members and the students, the Department of Accountancy organized a customary celebration of Sinhala and Hindu New Year on 19th April 2021 at the Department premises. Prof. SK Gamage – the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. DAM Perera – the Head of the Department, all the academic members of the Department, and non-academic members of the Department participated in this occasion.