Financial Times

FCCISL triggers fresh initiative to peace

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) is bringing together regional and district chambers along with top business houses and intellectuals including educationists in a new effort to prop up the sagging peace process.

“We want all these groups to play an important role in the peace initiative and to build confidence and play a major role to bring the business community from North and East together with other chambers in the country,” noted Nawaz Rajabdeen, FCCISL President.

The initiative is expected to be launched later this month.

The apex chamber, the most widely represented chamber structure in the country, has met officials of the government’s Peace Secretariat and obtained their support in the new bid to bring the government and the LTTE back to the negotiating table.“We think the role of chambers is a very important one because we can establish links amongst ourselves especially with the newly established chambers in Mullaitivu and Killinochchi through the Vavuniya Chamber of Commerce,” Rajabdeen said.

He said development and peace must go hand in hand in the interest of the affected people in these areas while the peace process is on hold, and urged the government to continue the infrastructure development in the northeast to win the confidence of the people there.

“The President alone cannot find a peace solution without private sector participation. In a conflict situation it is private sector business houses that mostly get affected - more than politicians or political parties,” he said, adding that there is a need to look at practical ways to peace.

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