Gallant Speaker says he defied the odds for the sake of democracy
A gallant Speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament declared this week that he stood for democracy against all forms of threats to save it for the generations unborn.
Karu Jayasuriya, Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka, was speaking as Chief Guest at the ‘Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2018 organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) held on Monday, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo.
“I consider it my duty to stand up against all forms of threats for democracy and saving it for the generations unborn. You know the value of personal freedom in a civilised country. As a Sri Lankan I consider we are citizens of a great nation. Sri Lanka has tremendous potential for growth and prosperity,” he told an audience of high-level corporate chiefs and others.
He said that he had to fight back against an onslaught of a barrage of physical attacks, chillie power attacks, abuse and insult coupled with so much of obstruction, declaring: “I stood by what is right.” Considering the tranquility and peace that prevailed in that hotel room of the (current) function compared to the unbelievable experiences that he went through in Parliament, he said: “Today, I go back home with happiness. So this is a very peaceful evening.”
The Best Sustainability Award was won by Aitken Spence PLC while the first runner-up was Hatton National Bank PLC, and the second runner-up was Nestle Lanka PLC.
Mr. Jayasuriya reminisced on the fond memories of a 30-year involvement with the private sector from 1965 to 1995 and the involvement with the CCC in various capacities. He said that in 2015 Sri Lanka successfully achieved the Millennium Development goals and measures have been taken to expedite the implementation of the 2030 development goals and long medium and short term plans were drawn with the initiatives to be a resilient society. They recognise the need for transformation to a more sustainable knowledge based economy coupled with currently growing technology and digitisation, he indicated.
Sri Lanka suffered two youth insurrections in 1971 and 1989 and therefore the authorities should ensure that there should not be such occurrences in the future.
Mr. Jayasuriya pointed out that there is an inefficient use of natural resources that would affect climate change, adding that this island nation has experienced disasters of floods and drought which adversely affected the lives of the people and their businesses.
He indicated that they should all work together to preserve biodiversity and have an active interest in saving the environment by accelerating the tree planting campaign throughout the country.
The government cannot realise the national objectives without the support of the private sector through which the nation can achieve social and environmental development.
Rajendra Theagarajah, Chairperson, CCC indicated that the country is rapidly developing with a rich biodiversity and to protect the environment is a challenge while doing business. Achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development is a collective and continuous feat.
He indicated that as the leading business chamber in the country, they conducted the Best Corporate Citizen Award 2018, which is now held for the 15th consecutive year to distinguish and award those of the business community which have geared their processes to protect community and environment.