Expedite power sector reforms - Chamber

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has urged the Government to demonstrate its political will and responsible and mature leadership, in expediting the implementation of the power sector reforms in the interest of the country.

They also appealed to all responsible political parties (principally the Main Opposition party) to support the government as they did in the resolution of the contentious issue of the Post Tsunami Operational Management Structure. This critical step portends hope that the country is indeed entering an era of political maturity, which is a vital first step for the nation to realise its true and full potential as an emerging economy, the Chamber said in a statement.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has always been fully supportive of power sector reforms and is convinced that the immediate implementation of reforms is vital if the nation is to overcome the power crisis.

The country will, otherwise, not have the resources to commit to large-scale power generation and, consequently, the power crisis can only worsen. The erosion of the competitiveness of the country, through prohibitive pricing and the inadequacy of power, needs no elaboration.

It will adversely affect vital sectors of the economy, such as the hospitality trade and the manufacturing sectors. This will inevitably push the country to a path of economic stagnation or decline and the adverse impact on the people, shattering their hopes and aspiration, also needs no elaboration.