Ranjit Page
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Rienzie Wijetilleke |
A top banker this week urged the business community to come together in forming profiles of righteous and honourable leaders whom the public at large would like to see in the parliament. “We have to make sure that those who adhere to law and order, respect governance and shy away from corruption are elected to govern us. I call upon the group of unbiased (business leaders) to get together and formulate profiles of candidates who fit (the bill).
Then we can draw up a plan of what we want them to do once they are in parliament,” Rienzie Wijetilleke, Chairman HNB said, addressing the gathering on the role of the CEO in the post-conflict Sri Lanka at the LBR LBO Forum on Tuesday.
He suggested the creation of a marketing plan for this project and said there will be many with a national interest who will come forth to fund this project.
Such a project is a need of the hour as presently there is widespread corruption and no regard or respect for ethics and governance, Mr Wijetilleke added. “The statutory and political powers are mixed by those in authority. Politicians have taken over the statutory power. There is no law and order, governance or decorum. There is rampant corruption,” he said.
He said it is important to get both young groups in the two major ethnicities to work together in harmony. “There needs to be rehabilitation in the North and the East and reconstruction of major projects. We need to network the country once again,” he said.
He said there are ample opportunities in the North and the East for low cost investments. “Focus on these and develop entry strategies. There is a hospital industry, education, IT, storage facilities, cool rooms, transport, etc. Don’t delay in entering these areas and start small,” he added. Ranjit Page, CEO Cargills Ceylon Ltd, speaking at the same forum noted that the CEOs in the post conflict scenario need to take the local brands international.
“We need to be transparent and realize that we have a responsibility to all as corporate leaders,” he said. He also said that there is a need to bring in the ‘right’ funds into the country (for investment) and also encourage competition. “We cannot be closed up. We also need to send our people as professionals and not just as maids and helpers to other countries,” he emphasised. |
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