Archives

The Joint Business Forum (J-Biz) has expressed extreme concern on the recent dispute between President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe over the Development Lotteries Board.

The J-Biz, which comprises the National Level Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Trade Associations and Employers' Organisations feel that issues of this nature should be resolved through a process of consultation with the parties concerned in complying with the constitutional provisions and should not, in any way, be allowed to damage the peaceful cohabitation at the helm of the country's political structure.

It is unfortunate that matters of this nature take the front line news headlines and draw the attention of the country and the international community, at a time Sri Lanka is trying to bring back the peace process on track with the help of the international community, re-gain investor confidence and convince the donor community on the urgent need to support the country's massive reconstruction and development initiatives. J-Biz is convinced that this is the last opportunity for the country's economic revival and peace and should not be lost.

Sri Lanka needs to build investor confidence that has been damaged over the years. Building confidence is a slow and time-consuming process. The political stability, cohabitation and consultative politics especially at the highest level will go along way in winning the hearts and minds of international investors and donors.

The J-Biz, earnestly urges both the President and the Prime Minister to resolve the present crisis immediately by maintaining the culture of mutual consultation and address the issue as per the constitution and not to allow the peaceful cohabitation be damaged by incidents of this nature. The Joint Business Forum (J-Biz) appeals to all political parties, their leaders and supporters to restrain their emotions getting the better of them.

The Joint Business Forum comprises the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, The National Chamber of Exporters, The International Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka, The Exporters, Association of Sri Lanka and the Bankers' Association of Sri Lanka.

www.crescat.com

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