Archives

Some opposition MPs to ask for deal : Business leaders call for political compromise

by Kushani Ratnayake and Chandani Jayatilleke

There is growing public opinion that the government and the President should bury the hatchet and work together in the interest of the country and avoid another general election.

Business leaders yesterday called on the political parties to come together while a group of opposition Members of Parliament are also expected to ask the President today to seek a compromise.

Leading Corporate figures said that a snap election would hamper the Government's efforts to resurrect the economy and move forward inthe peace process.

Responding to reports of a possible election of the cohabitation arrangement fails President National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, Chandra Embuldeniya said that the country needs law and order as well as political stability. "It is unnecessary to have another election, one must think about the economy of the country. The government has taken a bold step to have the peace process. One can not go on having elections there must be an understanding between the government and the president, the two parties must get together."

Managing Director, Hatton National Bank, Rienzie Wijetilleke echoed these sentiments and said that the country has given a clear mandate to the present government last December. "Everybody has a duty to permit the government to carry out it's program of work at least for a period of 3-4 years. We should take maximum advantage of the good will shown by all the countries in every part of the world towards resolution of our problems and also the assistance offered to us to rebuild our nation." They must learn to get along, he added.

Former President of Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, Lal De Mel and Vice- President of Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, Nihal Abeysekara expressed similar sentiments.

The group of PA MPs numbering about thirty said they would first meet former Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar to ascertain what transpired in the talks he had with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesdayt night. "Thereafter we will meet the President," one of the members told the Daily News.

Informed sources said yesterday that the Wickremesinghe-Kadirgamar meeting had been cordial and gave hope of a compromise. These reports caused the the Colombo Stock Market (CSE)to end it's two-day continuous dip on a favourable note. The market had lost ground due to the imminent political instability.

Stock market analysts said the day started on a low note with the prices of many stocks going further down from the previous day, but in the middle of trading the selected stocks began to secure better and improved prices as the reports of a political compromise reached the trading floor.

The All Share Price Index recorded 664.98 points, an increase of 18.5 percent while the Milanka Price Index closed at 1138.93 with an increase of 44.38 percent.

The market turnover was 96.4 million, nearly a 100 per cent increase from the previous day.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager