National consensus welcome on peace, social issues

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said it was extending all its support to positive initiatives by the government and the opposition to put the country first in peace, social development and governance.

In a statement last week, the chamber said it joining the entire commercial sector in “viewing with admiration and expectancy the emergence of a new political culture of non-confrontation developing between the two major political parties of the country.” The consultations to adopt a bipartisan approach, with a view to addressing six compelling issues of national significance, have progressed in an atmosphere of co-operation and empathy. In whatever form this collaboration may eventually evolve, the prospect of national consensus in vital areas has created an air of optimism which has not been evident in this country for a considerable period of time, it said.