Colombo, Sri Lanka – The global professional services landscape is being reshaped at a pace few could have anticipated a decade ago. Artificial intelligence and automation are steadily absorbing routine accounting and compliance work, while technology has made it possible for a professional seated in Colombo to serve a client in Dubai, Singapore or London with equal ease. The value of the professional is fast shifting from processing information to interpreting it and guiding decisions.
For Sri Lanka, this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The country has long produced highly qualified accountants and finance professionals, many of whom have built distinguished careers overseas. The question now is whether Sri Lanka can move beyond exporting talent towards building globally competitive professional service platforms that are led from, and anchored in, Sri Lanka – positioning the country as a genuine knowledge and professional services hub.
Colombo Times spoke with Dimuthu Ethugala, Co-Founder of Crevaty Consulting, who was recently honoured by CA Sri Lanka with the Outstanding Global Achiever Award 2026, to understand his journey from CA student leader to international entrepreneur, and his perspectives on leadership, global collaboration and nurturing the next generation of Sri Lankan professionals.
PROFILEDimuthu Ethugala, FCA, FCMA, MBA, is a Sri Lankan Chartered Accountant, entrepreneur, conference speaker and mentor. He began his career at BDO Sri Lanka, where he spent eight years, before moving to Kuwait to spend six years with KPMG in Risk Consulting. In 2017, together with two fellow Chartered Accountants, he co-founded Crevaty Consulting – “Create Value to Society” – which has grown from two people to around 50 professionals, with a client base of around 450. Crevaty today has a direct presence in the UAE, Kuwait, Singapore and the United Kingdom, supported by its Sri Lankan delivery and knowledge hub. A former President of the CA Students’ Society, he rose from General Secretary to President of the CA Sri Lanka Kuwait Chapter. A passionate Toastmaster, he is a Fellow Member of CA Sri Lanka and CMA Sri Lanka and holds an MBA from the Postgraduate Institute of Management, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. On how Sri Lankan professionals can compete globally, Ethugala was candid:
“I don’t believe our biggest limitation is technical knowledge. Very often, the limitation is our mindset. We should not only aim to work for international organisations. We should also have the confidence to establish and lead international organisations.”
Reflecting on what separates leaders from technically sound professionals, he noted:
“Technical knowledge builds your career. Leadership allows you to build other people’s careers.”
A Recognition and a Responsibility
Receiving the Outstanding Global Achiever Award 2026from CA Sri Lanka was a significant milestone for Ethugala. Having started his journey as a Chartered Accountancy student in Sri Lanka, he never imagined being recognised by the profession that helped shape his career. However, he views the award not as a personal achievement alone, but as a reflection of the contributions of the co-founders, colleagues and teams who helped build Crevaty.
For Ethugala, the recognition also comes with responsibility. Grateful for the role the profession has played in his success, he believes in creating opportunities for others and supporting the next generation of professionals. Ultimately, he believes that true success is measured not by awards, but by the impact one leaves through mentorship, inspiration and opening doors for others.
Milestones and Mentors
Ethugala credits several milestones for shaping his career and leadership journey. Serving as President of the CA Students’ Society while still a student gave him an early foundation in leadership and responsibility. His experience at BDO Sri Lanka and later KPMG Kuwait strengthened his technical expertise and exposed him to international business environments.
A defining turning point came in 2017 when he co-founded Crevaty Consulting with fellow Chartered Accountants Sujeewa Appuhamy and Jude Paththamperume, transitioning from professional to entrepreneur. His involvement with the CA Sri Lanka Kuwait Chapter and the wider international community further broadened his professional perspective.
Among his mentors, he speaks warmly of his first supervisor at BDO Sri Lanka, Mr. Sujeewa Rajapakshe, who taught him the importance of long-term thinking. A handwritten note and Cross pen gifted when Ethugala became President of the CA Students’ Society remains a treasured reminder of the lasting impact encouragement can have on a young professional.
“People may forget what you instructed them to do, but they rarely forget how you made them feel.”
That lesson continues to shape his leadership philosophy. While professional success matters, he believes the greatest legacy lies in inspiring, mentoring and supporting the next generation.
Building Credibility Through Adversity
One of Ethugala’s greatest challenges was leaving the security of established international firms to pursue entrepreneurship. Moving away from recognised brands and institutional credibility meant building trust and reputation from the ground up.
The experience reinforced a lesson that continues to guide him today: long-term success depends on competence, integrity and consistent delivery.
“Credibility cannot be borrowed forever. It has to be earned through competence, integrity and consistent delivery.”
Entrepreneurship brought setbacks and uncertainty, but it also strengthened his belief in maintaining a long-term perspective. Rather than viewing challenges as failures, he sees them as opportunities to learn, adapt and move closer to a larger vision.
Thinking Beyond Borders
Having worked across Sri Lanka, Kuwait, the UAE and other international markets, Ethugala has learned that success in cross-border business requires more than technical expertise. Understanding people, respecting cultural differences and building trust are equally important. While qualifications may open doors, long-term success depends on credibility, consistency and delivering on commitments.
He firmly believes Sri Lankan professionals possess the talent to compete globally. The greater challenge, he says, is mindset. Rather than waiting for opportunities, professionals should focus on creating them.
This belief inspired the creation of Crevaty, which connects international business opportunities with Sri Lankan talent.
From Professional to Leader
Ethugala believes technical excellence is the foundation of a successful career, but leadership requires more. Vision, courage, communication and the ability to develop others are what distinguish exceptional leaders. While accountants are trained to manage risks, leaders must also recognise opportunities and make decisions amid uncertainty.
He believes true leadership is measured not by personal success, but by the ability to inspire, mentor and empower others. Technical expertise may build a career, but leadership creates a lasting legacy.
Looking ahead, he notes that technology, particularly AI, automation and data analytics, is reshaping the profession. While technical skills remain important, communication, adaptability and continuous learning have become equally critical. In a world where information is readily available, the greatest value lies in interpreting it and helping businesses make better decisions. For Ethugala, the professionals who thrive will be those who combine technical expertise with leadership and adaptability.
Navigating the Future
Ethugala believes AI, automation and digital technologies will fundamentally reshape the profession. As routine tasks become automated, professionals will need to focus more on judgement, insight and strategic advice.
He also sees growing opportunities through the globalisation of professional services, which allows talented professionals to serve clients worldwide. At the same time, specialisation, technological literacy and commercial understanding will become key differentiators.
Rather than viewing these changes as threats, Ethugala sees them as opportunities. He believes Sri Lankan professionals are well positioned to succeed if they remain adaptable, embrace lifelong learning and continue developing future-ready skills.
Learning Beyond Qualifications
Reflecting on the demands of entrepreneurship and professional leadership, Ethugala is candid in acknowledging that achieving the perfect balance between career ambition and personal well-being is not always possible.
Ethugala believes entrepreneurship requires sacrifice, but lasting success depends on maintaining personal well-being. He values exercise, meditation and quality time with his wife and three sons.
A strong advocate of lifelong learning, he credits experiences such as Toastmasters, professional networks and mentoring for shaping his leadership and communication skills. For him, success is not just about career achievements, but continuous growth as a professional, leader and individual.
Professionalism and Potential
Ethugala believes ambition is important, but lasting success requires patience, continuous learning and strong foundations. While some young professionals focus on rapid career progression, he encourages them to develop expertise and resilience over time.
He remains optimistic about the future, noting that today’s professionals have unprecedented access to knowledge, technology and global opportunities. He also believes organisations play a vital role by creating environments where people can learn, take responsibility and grow through experience, including mistakes.
For Ethugala, the goal is not simply to develop skilled professionals, but to nurture confident, ethical and future-ready leaders capable of achieving even greater success than previous generations
Future Focus
Looking ahead, Ethugala hopes to be remembered for helping open international opportunities for Sri Lankan professionals. Through Crevaty, he aims to develop local talent, expand global connections and support future leaders through mentoring and knowledge sharing.
For him, titles and awards are merely milestones. True success lies in the value created, the people developed and the opportunities provided to others. He went from a CA student leader holding a handwritten note of encouragement to the co-founder of an international firm built on Sri Lankan talent.
“Success is not measured by how far you go, but by the opportunities you create for others.”
It is a message that reflects both his journey and his vision for the next generation of Sri Lankan professionals.
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Interviewed and compiled by Rifka Ziyard, FCMA, CGMA FCIT, ACA, MBA, B Com Colombo Times | In FocusPage
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