Maithri says no deal with other countries that would affect local business, industry
View(s):President Maithripala Sirisena has promised Sri Lanka’s young entrepreneurs that he would not enter into any agreement with another country that is detrimental to the local business community and the domestic industry.
He made these comments during a meeting at the weekend with the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) at Water’s Edge this week to discuss challenges faced by Sri Lankan entrepreneurs.
These comments came in the backdrop of the recent visit to India and meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi where the long-delayed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries didn’t come up for discussion. Some news reports from Delhi implied that President Sirisena deliberately didn’t discuss the CEPA issue as it had drawn criticism and concern from sections of the local industry.
In a statement issued after the meeting, COYLE said the President clearly gave his assurance to the members “that he would not enter into any agreement with any country that would be detrimental to the interests of the business community or in any way create losses to business entrepreneurs or the domestic industry”.
He had stated that he would spearhead transparency and clear management policies to improve the balance of payments and thus facilitate better and more viable business opportunities.
While thanking President Maithripala Sirisena for his presence and participation in the meeting, COYLE Chairman Sanjaya Jayaratne applauded the President for his clear assurances to the business community. “We wholeheartedly agree that our economy has to be backed up by a strong and sustainable framework of good governance, investor confidence, job generation activities and sustainable inclusive growth,” he added.