(Lanka-e-News -13.April.2026, 10.45 AM) OPEN LETTER TO EXCELLENCY HON ANURA KUMARA DISSANAYAKE
REQUEST FOR INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO SERIOUS GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONAL CONCERNS AT INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF SRI LANKA
Dear Excellency,
We write to you as a group of long-standing members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, many of whom have been associated with and served the institute since the 1990s and early 2000s. During that period, we contributed significantly to the development and reputation of the institute as a respected professional body.
It is with deep concern and disappointment that we bring to your attention a series of serious issues relating to the current administration of CA institute, involving CEO Lakmali Priyangika and Heshana Kuruppu (Past President of CA Sri Lanka), which we believe require urgent and independent review because the institute comes under your ministry and is a parliament enacted professional body.
Please find our concerns below:
There is an unhealthy concentration of influence within the CA institute’s leadership, with Lakmali Priyangika and Heshana Kuruppu exercising significant control over key decisions. This has undermined established governance structures and weakened the role of the Council, including sidelining the current President Mr. Tishan.
We have observed and received numerous accounts of questionable practices, including:
o Financial mismanagement, including expenditure exceeding LKR 140 million on an IT project with little to no tangible outcome even after a considerable period during Heshana’s term which ended in 2025.
o Procurement-related irregularities involving associates and affiliates of Lakmali Priyangika, with no visible corrective action despite internal audit mechanisms.
o Disproportionate allocation of funds for media publicity centered on Lakmali Priyangika, overshadowing elected leadership.
o There are also serious concerns regarding financial decisions during the presidency of Heshana Kuruppu, including repeated overseas travel for events such as dinner dances and related engagements, funded by the institute. Many members have questioned the necessity, value, and accountability of such expenditures, particularly given that these funds originate largely from students and members. These actions have contributed to a perception of misuse of institutional resources for non-essential activities, warranting independent review.
o A pattern of staff harassment, intimidation, and coercion, allegedly involving Lakmali Priyangika and individuals acting under her direction.
o Instances where employees have been pressured to submit resignation letters under distress.
o Significant staff turnover—including the departure of more than 20 employees from the Student Registration department following the appointment of Madhushi (a relative of Lakmali Priyangika), who has reportedly received multiple rapid promotions within a short period, and is now the unofficial COO at the institute.
o Replacement of experienced staff with individuals having personal affiliations, raising concerns about meritocracy and professionalism.
o Complaints against Lakmali Priyangika and Madhushi have allegedly not been subjected to independent investigation.
o Influence Heshana Kuruppu in the Ethics Committee has resulted in some investigations against the unethical conduct of Lakmali Priyangika being swept under the carpet and and prevented impartial review and accountability.
o The removal or sidelining of experienced personnel, including Sujeeva (former Head of Student Registration), to facilitate appointments aligned with personal affiliations of people like Madhushi.
o Creation and use of positions outside formal structures by Heshana Kuruppu, including the Chief Operating Officer—which is not recognized under the governing Act.
o Continued informal exercise of such powers through close associates.
o It is important to note that former CEOs Ashoka Piyadigama and Prasanna Liyanage, both respected professionals who previously led the institute, were forced to resign under difficult circumstances due to actions by both Heshana Kuruppu and Lakmali Priyangika. There is a widely held perception among members and staff that both the former CEOs were subjected to undue pressure and interference during their tenure, particularly from Heshana Kuruppu and Lakmali Priyangika. The loss of such experienced leadership has had a lasting impact on the stability and governance of the institute.
o A deteriorating work environment marked by fear, stress, and lack of job security.
o Weekly recruitment advertisements indicating ongoing high staff attrition.
o Concerns that remaining long-serving staff are under considerable pressure.
o Concerns regarding the dilution of academic and professional standards of the CA qualification.
o A perceived shift toward increasing student intake at the expense of maintaining quality by reducing the number of subjects in the new curriculum instead of the rigorous but high standards the qualification is known for.
o Long-standing members who have contributed to building the Institute over decades are now being denied even basic access to divisions such as Membership Services and are made to wait outside, in a manner that is humiliating, disrespectful, and entirely inconsistent with the values and professional standing CA Sri Lanka once upheld.
o This treatment reflects a deeply troubling shift in institutional culture. If senior members are treated in such a degrading manner, it raises grave concerns about how students—many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds and depend on the institute for their future—are being treated on a daily basis.
o As the national accounting body, the integrity of CA Sri Lanka is critical to financial governance in the country.
o Recent broader concerns in the financial sector such as the NDB Bank, including audit-related failures, highlight the importance of maintaining strong ethical and professional standards within the CA institute itself.
o Your Excellency, these concerns are raised in good faith and with the sole intention of safeguarding the integrity and future of CA Sri Lanka. We believe the situation has reached a point where internal mechanisms are no longer sufficient to ensure accountability.
The appointment of an independent and impartial inquiry into the governance, financial management and administrative practices of CA Sri Lanka.
An external audit by a fully independent body not affiliated with the institute.
Immediate steps to restore proper governance, protect staff, and uphold professional and academic standards.
We remain committed to supporting the institute and ensuring that it continues to serve the nation with integrity and excellence. We trust that under your leadership, appropriate action will be taken to address these serious concerns before it is too late and before the destruction of our institute.
Yours faithfully,
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by (2026-04-23 05:24:25)
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