FCCISL praises Govt for lifting fishing ban and opening A9 highway

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) and the Chambers of the North and East praised President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Senior Advisor to President and MP Basil Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the Armed Forces and the Police for working tirelessly towards speedy lifting of fishing ban in the East as well as the North. FCCISL acknowledges the Government's move to facilitate private sector trade by allowing the usage of A9 road for goods transportation.

FCCISL President Kosala Wickramanayake said, these initiatives could be considered as the first important step towards economic rehabilitation of the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

The next key task would be to ensure the speedy settlement of the displaced in the North and East and provide them with a conducive environment to carry out their normal livelihoods. The FCCISL is negotiating with donors for possible financial assistance to extend its cooperation to the Government in the economic rehabilitation and social reintegration process.

A mechanism has to be in place for post harvest preservation of fish and also to transport the fish and other produce of the region to the South enabling a strong South/North trading activities. He said that FCCISL respects the current security concerns, but balanced mechanism with a win-win situation for the producer, trade and the consumer would positively address the high price issue of commodities and fish.

The FCCISL has assured the Government and the Security Forces of its fullest cooperation to speed up the economic rehabilitation process in the region.