BPA creates platform for dialogue with policy makers :

Business a key stakeholder in Sri Lanka’s economy

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

Business is a key stakeholder in Sri Lanka’s economy. Its own progress and prosperity relies heavily on a stable and peaceful environment within which it could grow.

The Business for Peace Alliance (BPA) has created platforms for individual corporate social investment, donor programs, Government corporations and collective efforts to influence a systemic change beyond the capacity of individual endeavours, said BPA Chairman Suresh de Mel.

The BPA is Sri Lanka’s regional chambers of commerce network for conflict transformation, reconciliation, regional empowerment and corporate responsibility. The organization conducted a seminar on “A one-stop opportunity to explore Sri Lanka’s regions with business leaders from all the provinces” in Colombo yesterday.

Secretary General/Chief Executive Officer Manique Mendis said, “As Sri Lanka enters a new phase in development in the post-war era, the BPA offers a unique platform that encourages proactive direction in the task of re-building the country.

This platform features two cornerstones - regional empowerment and reconciliation and national unity. Regional empowerment is derived by bringing about ownership and active participation in regional development by the people of the regions.

Reconciliation and national unity has made business and commerce successful by cutting across barriers of geography, race, religion, class, caste and creed and fostering the climate for a peaceful Sri Lanka, she said.

BPA promotes peace and prosperity for all regions and communities living in harmony throughout a united Sri Lanka where social diversity and heritage are respected and preserved.

A responsible, professional and sustainable organization can make a tangible contribution towards peace, reconciliation, national unity and empowerment. The BPA encourages understanding and tolerance of diverse cultures and environments through inter-regional business networks and corporate social responsibility and helps create a sense of ownership and responsibility within the business community to spearhead the process of conflict transformation and regional empowerment.

It aims at being the voice of regional business and a platform for dialogue with policy makers in a bottom up approach.

At a glance

*A one-stop opportunity to explore Sri Lanka’s regions with business leaders from all provinces.

*Reconciliation and national unity has made business and commerce successful.

*BPA promotes peace and prosperity for all regions.