I was inspired to become a finance professional by a Sri Lankan business mastermind who transformed a traditional tea broking company into a diversified giant. By leveraging his business acumen, he steered the company’s expansion into finance, property, plantations and much more. This remarkable journey serves as a testament to the power of financial expertise and strategic thinking.
My career began as an intern at KPMG Sri Lanka. However, my diverse academic background led me to my current role as senior manager of taxation and regulatory. What I like about my job is that tax challenges frequently become exhilarating puzzles. Solving them involves continuous learning and adaptation and keeps monotony at bay.
Sri Lanka needs an independent tax commission that transcends political cycles
I’m also proud to be an architect in the nascent stage of Sri Lanka’s digital tax transformation. My contributions are helping to shape a future where technology streamlines the tax landscape, benefiting businesses and the nation alike. It’s a blend of precision and innovation, safeguarding the present and future.
During my time at KPMG Sri Lanka, I have seen the impact talented professionals can have on developing economies. Witnessing how skilled advisers have assisted businesses confirms the pivotal role professional services play in Sri Lanka’s growth. The combination of accounting expertise, legal knowledge and technological understanding is crucial in navigating the ever-changing landscapes of developing economies, paving the way for further progress and prosperity.
Sri Lanka does face challenges and must urgently modernise its tax system to collect more revenue, while also pushing ahead with planned updates to tax laws. Expanding the tax base is crucial, and while initiatives like the government’s tax identification number programme are a step in the right direction, the biggest challenge lies in establishing an independent tax commission that transcends political cycles. I believe such a body could create a stable national tax policy, providing predictability for both businesses and citizens, and ultimately attracting investment and driving economic growth.
My favourite saying is: ‘Nothing comes easy in life’. For me, it conveys a sense of determination, implying that the reward of overcoming a challenge ultimately makes the journey worthwhile.
My greatest achievement came in 2016, when tax transfer pricing was in its early stages in Sri Lanka. I actively embraced the challenge and became one of the first to move into this specialised area, acquiring the expertise to handle it independently. Today, I’m a fully qualified tax and transfer pricing professional certified by the Chartered Institute of Taxation Sri Lanka. I also have an advanced professional certification in transfer pricing from the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation, and I maintain my commitment to excellence in this field.
As our lives move increasingly online, the need to update legal and tax frameworks becomes more urgent
If I had law-making powers I would introduce and update the law and taxation frameworks to handle the rapid rise of the digital economy. This has disrupted numerous industries and thrown traditional legal and tax frameworks into disarray. As our lives move increasingly online, the need to update these laws for this new paradigm becomes more urgent.
If I wasn’t an accountant, I probably would have been an architect. My uncle, who is a professor in architecture, steered me towards his profession, and my passion for building and design remains strong. I also enjoy reading design-related books in my spare time and I even like watching design advertisements, which are a welcome escape from work stress.
