| J-Biz
meeting
Political impasse threatens economic, corporate performance
The Joint Business Forum meeting at the BMICH recently drew a large
gathering of business leaders to discuss the current political crisis
that was affecting economy and corporate performance. Here is a
cross section of views of some of those who attended the meeting.
Patrick
Amerasinghe, former president, FCCISL
This is the first time we have agitated on this issue and have decided
to speak up in one voice. I have not seen so many business leaders
excited about making an impact in settling this political impasse.
Now we need to mobilise public support for our campaign. I feel
that if we refuse to pay taxes and we divert such money into a separate
development fund managed by the private sector, then we can provide
the same services to the masses, almost like a 'shadow' government.
Given the leadership within the private sector, we can provide much
better services for half the cost.
Both
leaders are not willing to compromise. In fact I asked the Prime
Minister directly when I last met him, "Isn't this all a personality
problem?" He had no answer. However, it must be understood
that the Prime Minister has no absolute control as the leader of
the UNF as he has to accede to the demands of other parties in the
alliance.
But
I suggest that we postpone all forms of elections until we reform
the electoral laws. After all, the provincial councils were introduced
to devolve power to the North and East but the provincial elections
will not be held in those areas.
Felix
Yahampath, chairman National Chamber of Exporters
I believe the best proposal would be to have a street demonstration
carrying placards to show our force. We won't stop until this political
crisis is resolved. We hope that both parties will resolve their
differences within a month. Having consulted the President, I asked
the Prime Minister whether he was willing to accept the portfolio
of deputy minister of defence with all powers related to defence
gazetted to him. He refused. He said that the LTTE had insisted
that they would not negotiate with any party unless they had control
of the defence ministry. I then suggested that the private sector
be invited to speak to the LTTE on this position, because I know
that the LTTE had never made such a request. The Prime Minister
rejected this suggestion too. Therefore, one cannot blame just one
party for this problem. It is time for both parties to arrive at
a consensus for the sake of the country. Another election would
only be a waste of time and money.
Sarath
Uyanhewa, vice president, Association of Small and Medium Scale
Enterprises
I felt that the J-Biz meeting was not successful. Members present
at the meeting are figures of big corporate entities. They aren't
patriotic. The only reason why they are agitated is because the
current crisis has affected their profit margins. It sounds good
when they raise such patriotic sentiments, but the truth is that
they're worried about the possible implications on their businesses.
As
far as the small and medium scale enterprises are concerned, our
businesses are fragile and dependent on market forces. We have not
been adversely affected by this political crisis at all. In my opinion,
this story of a bleak future under the existing political set up
is mere rhetoric by Prof. G.L. Peiris in order to agitate the private
sector to exert pressure on the President. As for the common man
on the street, the challenge for survival goes on as usual. I must
admit though, that it would have a crushing effect if the ceasefire
agreement was to end and the country returns to war.
I
believe that the business community needs to win the support of
the masses and the only way they can do that is by going to the
people. If the common man can go and protest on the streets, then
so can our business leaders. I believe that the people will then
realise how genuine and sincere the business community is in resolving
this issue.
Lakshman
Watawala
We have been addressing these leaders over lunches and
dinners. Now it is time for us, as a responsible private sector,
to provide leadership to this country. We must involve all persons
belonging to all sectors in a token strike on the streets to show
them the power of the private sector. After all, this country must
be run according to the wishes of the people and not according to
the wishes of those in power.
I
feel this forum hasn't achieved any purpose and is a waste of time
if we are not going to act fast. The situation is bleak already
and we cannot afford to wait any longer.
Hemaka
Amarasuriya, chairman Singer
It is time that the business community makes an impact on the community
regarding this issue, in a peaceful manner. We need to exert pressure
on both sides to place country before self in order to move forward.
Our stance must be apolitical. The cohabitation arrangement can
work if both parties make a serious effort. A fresh election would
be futile.
Ariyaseela
Wickramanayake, chairman Master Divers
I don't believe that the private sector should stoop down to the
level of street demonstrations in front of Lipton Circus. We need
to show the government our strength and our power. I suggest we
unite with people from all walks of life, including the clergy,
and meet the relevant political parties as a joint force. Our agenda
should not be to promote one political party over the other. Or
to say who is right and who is wrong. We need to move forward, and
the only way we can do that is to give the government with the mandate
all the support it needs to run the affairs of the state, including
the peace process. After all, that is what the people of this country
have decided.
Dudley
Jayasekera, vice president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Central
Province (Kandy)
It was a useful discussion and a step in the right direction
to let the administration know that the business community has a
vital role to play and that their views must be taken into account
in a more serious manner. It must be understood that this is a constitutional
crisis where everything is governed by the constitution. We must
get the Constitutional Reforms Council to bring the necessary reforms
to the constitution rather than go against the constitution. We
cannot blame anyone except the constitution.
Raja
Hewabowala, president, Matara District Chamber of Commerce
I'm happy with the outcome of the meeting because there were lots
of suggestions. I believe the business community should hold a demonstration
to publicise their views and generate support but not in the way
trade unions do it. The President should give the powers to the
Prime Minister who started the peace process. If not then an election
seems the only option although it would be a waste.
Azmi
Thassim, director general, Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce
It was a successful meeting because all of us were able to gather
at one place and discuss contentious issues. I don't blame either
the President or the Prime Minister for this crisis but we have
to blame ourselves for the irresponsible way we're running the country.
It is the business community that funds political parties and the
people who vote for them. But political leaders can't run away from
their responsibilities as they have been given a mandate by the
public. We must look at changing the constitution.
I
feel that a two-thirds majority in parliament is possible to support
non-controversial changes. If we go for fresh elections it must
be with the aim of achieving a change but given the current voting
patterns it is unlikely that we would get a verdict different from
the last one. I don't agree that the President needed to take over
the defence ministry because national security was at stake.
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