Financial Times

CCC steams ahead with pro-peace initiatives
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), following on what was described as a “successful” meeting with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on ways of moving the peace process forward and halting the cycle of violence, is planning a special session on peace at its annual economic summit.

In another step ahead, the country’s premier chamber has set up a separate sub committee on peace in a bid to play an active role in the process with its first meeting scheduled for January 24. Chaired by Deva Rodrigo, chairman of the CCC, those invited to serve on the committee include Prema Cooray, Chandra Jayaratne, Dr. Anura Ekanayake, Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake and Suresh Shah.

Concerned about rapid developments in the northeast region plagued by attacks on the military and allegations of military reprisals, the chamber met Samaraweera on December 31 but remained tight-lipped about the outcome. “It was a very good meeting. We are trying to get a press release done and clear it to avoid any sensitive matters and unintended negative outcomes or impacts on the government’s efforts to restart negotiations,” Rodrigo said.

At the chamber’s 6th annual convention on January 27 and 28 titled “Economic Growth: Towards National Prosperity,” one entire session is to be allocated for deliberations on the peace process. Representatives of all leading political parties in the country have been invited to articulate their views, in an attempt to reach some degree of consensus.

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