the untold story
WHAT’S UP | JULY 2017 ISSUE
The day is humid, but overcast. Sri Lanka has just lost a test series, beaten convincingly by India.
‘Apparade’ (in vain) a disappointed but the expected voice of Lal Fernando greets me in the corridor.
When the Indian national cricket team toured Ceylon in 1956 the same year Lal Fernando started his
career at Ford Rhodes Thornton & Co. (now KPMG in Sri Lanka) they had managed a series draw.
‘How times have changed!’ he says with a smile and points out to his days at the Times of Ceylon
building where the firm was situated during its infancy.
‘It’s been a memorable 50 years’, Esther joins in, whom along with Kalatuwawa, joined the firm
after Mr. N. G. P. Panditharathne took over as Senior Partner, in 1966. It was under Mr.
Panditharathne’s guidance that in 1987, Ford, Rhodes, Thornton & Co. became a representative firm
of the Big 6 and then a full member firm of the KPMG network by 1992.
Not all has changed. Culture and values are something that KPMG has held very sacred since its
inception. “The best memories of my time in the firm, are that of the guidance, teachings and
discipline instilled in me through the charismatic leadership throughout the years.” says Lal
Fernando.
120 years ago, Church and Co. which was established as a small accountancy firm in 1897 under the
leadership of Mr. F. P. Church has grown today to become one of the largest and most respected
professional service firms in the country. The accolades in the boardroom where an interview for
LMD is being conducted resonates the firm’s achievements and Reyaz is quick to point to the recent
additions. He then adds ‘I am extremely proud to be the head of a company which celebrates 120
years of service to the business community of this country. This is especially highlighted by the fact
that there aren’t many professional service firms, which could lay claim to have operated so
efficiently over such a long period of time.’ The firm recently won the ‘Best Advisory Firm in Sri
Lanka – 2016’ by the International Finance Magazine (IMF), ‘Tax Firm of the Year’ and ‘Tax Disputes
and Litigation Firm of the Year’ by the ‘International Tax Review’ at the Asia Tax Awards 2017.
As KPMG in Sri Lanka celebrates 120 years this year, we dedicate this quarters ‘Whatsup’ magazine
to take a look back at the key millstones. Also in an attempt to highlight the prestigious history and
the culture the firm has harnessed over the years, we spoke to a few of the firm’s long standing
employees to share their experiences, best memories and to take us back in time of life at KPMG.
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