AAT Sri Lanka Conference 2026: “Trust is the ultimate currency of every profession”

Delivering the Chief Guest address at the AAT Sri Lanka Conference 2026, Capital Maharaja Group CEO Suresh Srinivasan emphasized that technical excellence holds long-term value only when built upon a foundation of unyielding integrity.

Held on September 8 and 9 at Waters Edge, Battaramulla, under the theme Precision to Power, the two-day flagship event gathered industry leaders, finance professionals, and students to discuss governance, transformative leadership, data-driven decision-making, and the future of the accounting profession.

Opening his address with a memorable reflection, Srinivasan noted that while money, time, and material possessions diminish when shared, two elements multiply: love and knowledge.

Drawing from personal stories and pivotal milestones throughout his career, Srinivasan shared key insights on ethics, leadership, and resilience:

• Values Over Rules: Reflecting on his upbringing, he shared that his father’s humble lifestyle taught him honesty and responsibility long before he encountered a formal professional code of ethics.

• Learning from Setbacks: Recalling an early academic failure during his school years, he highlighted the importance of moving beyond rote memorization to true application, proving that setbacks serve as opportunities to adapt and grow.

• Accountability in Leadership: Recounting his transition from consulting to managing complex packaging operations at Britannia, he stressed that genuine leadership begins when one steps up to own operational outcomes.

• Empowerment Through Belief: Describing a severe health challenge during his time at CavinKare, he highlighted how a leader’s trust restored his self-confidence, noting that powerful leadership involves believing in people when they have lost faith in themselves.

• Turnaround Mindset: Detailing his success in reviving a dormant sugar refining business at E.I.D. Parry through value-added innovation and strong governance, he advocated for a forward-looking mindset: “So what? What next?”

Srinivasan concluded his address with a profound reminder for professionals across all sectors:

“At the end of our careers, we will all have a personal balance sheet showing assets and wealth, but there is one line no accounting standard will require us to disclose: how many people are better off because we were part of their journey?”

He urged delegates to hold firm to core values such as integrity, objectivity, and competence, reinforcing that while technology evolves, trust remains the ultimate currency of every profession.