Ceylon Chamber plays vital role in nation building
View(s):Sri Lanka’s most influential business chamber, taking the bull by the horns, is organising two important discussions of national interest in the next 10 days dealing with growing mistrust between communities and the future of the presidency.
The first discussion by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) on a fractured nation and bitterness between communities will involve Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Governor, Central Bank; M.A. Sumanthiran, MP: Gihan Cooray, Deputy Chairman & Group Finance Director, John Keells Holdings; W.K.H Wegapitiya, Chairman, LAUGFS Holdings; Ms. Ferial Ashraff and Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, President, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement. The discussion will be moderated by Suresh Shah, former CCC Chairman and held on July 18 at the Liberty Ballroom, Ramada Colombo.
The second discussion on July 26 is on the constitutional powers of the President following the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
“What is the impact of the 19A on the powers of a future President of Sri Lanka? Was there in fact a dilution of the powers of the President and an enhancement of the powers of the Prime Minister and other institutions? Did the 19A place two drivers to navigate the Government ‘bus’? What would be a good model that will ensure that a future team of two at the apex in Government, whether from a single party or a coalition will not become estranged?” are some of the questions that would be answered in this discussion, the chamber said in a media release
The speakers at this discussion are K. Kanag Isvaran, Presidents Counsel and Attorney at Law; Dr. Nihal Jayawickrema, Attorney at Law and Javid Yusuf, Attorney at Law. The discussion will be moderated by CCC Secretary General and CEO Dhara Wijayatilake and held at the auditorium of the Chamber.
On the discussion on the progress of a nation, the chamber said that Sri Lanka has, for many years, been a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. All communities have contributed in the nation’s development, despite numerous challenges over the years.
“Today however, we stand more fractured because of suspicion and mistrust, and are struggling to sustain a common identity. Why has this happened? Can we progress as a nation if we continue this way? Who will be the real victims of such divisive attitudes? What can be done to replace prejudice with respect, suspicion with trust?” it said.