The Association of Accounting Technicians of Sri Lanka (AAT Sri Lanka) marked a significant milestone with the induction of Dr. Chamara Bandara as its 14th President. Held under the theme “THINK BEYOND,” the prestigious ceremony took place on 11 March 2026 at Shangri-La Colombo, bringing together distinguished professionals, industry leaders, and members of the accounting fraternity to celebrate this important leadership transition.
The event was graced by Chief Guest Dr. Nayana Dehigama, while Tishan Subasinghe, President of CA Sri Lanka, attended as the Guest of Honor.
Dr. Chamara Bandara’s appointment signals the beginning of a new chapter for AAT Sri Lanka, driven by a vision of purposeful leadership and a renewed commitment to shaping the future of accounting professionals in Sri Lanka. He previously served as a Council Member from 2012 to 2015 and returned for the 2020–2023 term, contributing significantly to the Association’s strategic direction.
In recognition of his dedication and leadership, Dr. Bandara was elected Vice President for the 2024–2025 term, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening governance, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and advancing the Association’s professional and educational goals.
Extract from the President’s Speech
Addressing the audience, Dr. Bandara emphasized the need for the accounting profession to evolve alongside a rapidly changing global landscape.
“The accountant of tomorrow will not simply record transactions. They will interpret complex financial ecosystems, integrate digital technologies, and safeguard governance, ethics, and trust. As the profession evolves from compliance to intelligence and from reporting history to predicting the future, we must challenge ourselves to go beyond traditional boundaries. That is why our theme is simple yet powerful – Think Beyond.”
He further highlighted that embracing this mindset requires both institutions and professionals to move beyond geographical limitations, outdated perspectives, and comfort zones in order to remain relevant in an increasingly dynamic world.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the contributions of Immediate Past President Indraka Liyanage, whose leadership played a key role in guiding the Association’s continued growth.
EV Batteries vs. ICE Engines: Evolution Auto Redefines the Longevity Debate
As Sri Lanka’s largest electric vehicle portfolio provider, Evolution Auto has sparked a fact-based national conversation around one of the most critical aspects of electric vehicle ownership: battery health and longevity.
Despite growing interest in electric mobility, many consumers transitioning from petrol and diesel vehicles remain hesitant. The most common concern is simple—how long will the battery last? According to Evolution Auto, it is time to move beyond assumptions and focus on evidence-based comparisons.
When compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, modern electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly demonstrating greater mechanical simplicity, durability, and predictability. Rather than viewing battery life as an uncertainty, the more relevant comparison today is between EV battery performance and the cumulative mechanical wear found in ICE engines.
Global research conducted by Geotab, based on data from more than 22,700 electric vehicles across multiple brands and regions, provides clear insight. The study shows that EV batteries degrade at an average rate of just 2–3% per year. Even after eight years of use, most batteries retain over 80% of their original capacity.
Importantly, battery degradation is gradual rather than sudden. Based on observed trends, many modern EV batteries are expected to maintain more than 70% capacity for 15 to 20 years—a level widely considered sufficient for everyday automotive performance. In practical terms, this means the battery often outlasts the typical ownership lifecycle of the vehicle itself.
The research also highlights the role of environmental and technological factors. Moderate climates and effective thermal management systems help preserve battery health, while prolonged exposure to extreme heat may accelerate degradation. Advances in battery chemistry and management software in newer EV models have further improved long-term durability.
These findings reinforce the idea that modern EV battery systems are engineered for consistent performance, predictable aging, and long-term reliability—shifting the longevity conversation from concern to measurable engineering evidence.
By contrast, ICE vehicles inherently experience wear across multiple interconnected systems, including engines, gearboxes, exhaust systems, fuel injection components, clutches, and cooling mechanisms. As these systems age, maintenance becomes more complex and costly. Unlike the gradual and measurable degradation of batteries, mechanical wear in ICE vehicles can occur unpredictably across various components.
Electric vehicles eliminate many of these high-wear parts. With significantly fewer moving components and no combustion process, EVs offer a fundamentally different ownership experience—one centered on steady, predictable battery aging rather than cumulative mechanical breakdown.
This structural simplicity reshapes how longevity is evaluated. Instead of managing multiple wear-prone systems, EV ownership focuses on a single, well-engineered battery system designed to degrade slowly and consistently over time.
Think Beyond’ Shapes AAT Sri Lanka’s Next Chapter Under Its 14th President
