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| Friday, 9 January 2004 |
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by Lionel Yodhasinghe The Joint Business Forum (JBF), which met yesterday at the BMICH to discuss strategies to assist in clearing the political impasse between the President and the Prime Minister decided to prepare a plan of action very soon. Among the main proposals at which many attendants agreed were to show the private sector strength by pressuring politicians on matters related to national interest; Funding a public relations body to lobby on the problem among members of society belonging to all strata of life and appointing a competent team to mediate in the confrontation between President and the Prime Minister and bring the two leaders to an eye to eye discussion on the issue. Some were of the opinion that the so-called crisis were made purposely and certain businessmen too responsible for patronising such a made up crisis. A representative of a provincial medium time industrialist said his community has not been affected by the so-called crisis as certain media magnify it. He said anybody seeking to mobilise the ordinary man to change the Constitution, should look into the common man's interest. He said big time businessmen if really need to put the country before self, should see the truth behind the curtain and be ready to sacrifice to some extent to serve national interests. Another attendee said the JBF should ask the Prime Minister why he cannot go ahead with the peace process without the defence portfolio if the President is ready to arm him with all necessary powers. The head table explained that the Prime Minister told them during a meeting with the JBF that the LTTE was not ready to discuss with a party, which does not possess defence portfolio, and he (the Premier) was unable to carry on. A representative from the agri business said businessmen should work for a national consensus, make strategies to help the public sector run smoothly and provide employment. This will lead the country to prosperity leaving party politicians alone. The forum discussed about the forthcoming Provincial Council elections and proposed to press the Government to have all elections on one-day cutting cost and saving time. They believed that if the Government accepts such a proposal, it would be a starting point for them to go ahead by persuading the Government to implement the JBF's other proposals. They also pointed out that the forum members should agree to stop funding political parties. Individual politicians ready to put the country before self should only be supported, they stated. The members said that the Constitutional crisis is the main reason to all these problems and the entire nation including the President and the Prime Minister has become helpless. None of them can take firm decisions as they are sandwiched between the constitutional crisis and party politics. So it is reiterated the need to change the Constitution. Expressing views on some proposals made by certain participants to stop paying tax and setting up a special fund which could be used to develop public infrastructure and provide welfare to the society, a Constitutional lawyer said that whatever the participants proposed, all such proposals finally will come under the prevailing law. "All of us are compelled to obey the country's law and such proposals would never become a reality", he said. The forum decided to meet very soon and discuss participants' views and opinions to prepare a plan of action. Over 300 businessmen participated in the forum presided by Mahendra Amerasuriya. |
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