Sri Lanka Chamber of Small Industry congratulates President-elect

The Medium and Small Industry Chamber has congratulated President Mahinda Rajapakse on his election.

President of the Chamber Aloy R. Jayawardene while congratulating Rajapakse said a firm economic policy is vital.

"The test of the country's progress is not in whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, but in that Government provides enough for those who have little," Jayawardene said in his message.

"We need to enhance the country's infrastructure as a pre-requisite to growth should be considered a top priority.

The 20 years of civil war cannot be made the scapegoat for the lack of economic development in our country, since conflicts and terrorism prevails in every part of the world.

The main reason why Sri Lanka is not growing is due to the lack of infrastructure."

"Your "Mahinda Chinthanaya" that industry moves to the regions to offer employment may not get off the ground, due to the absence of express ways and other infrastructure such as power which is a major bug-bear to the promotion of investment on a countrywide scale."

The Chamber has appealed for the setting up of a separate Ministry for the SME development, to ensure political focus for the sector.