Hail President’s re-election:

Chambers optimistic of economic resurgence

Business Chambers in Sri Lanka hailed President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s victory at the recently concluded presidential election and extended their fullest support to the

President in taking the country’s economic development forward.

FCCISL President Kosala Wickramanayake said FCCISL wishes to congratulate President Mahinda Rajapaksa on being elected as the sixth Executive President of Sri Lanka. “We are pleased that the election concluded peacefully and independently,” he said.

“We will extend our fullest support to the President’s plans for rural development, creating a strong SME sector and development of agriculture and services sector,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s policies should focus towards value addition in both our traditional exports and in emerging industries and services.

Investments are needed in infrastructure, production capacity and human capital. The government should empower the private sector with the skills, infrastructure and management capacity for SME sector to flourish,” he said.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) conveys its warmest congratulations and best wishes to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, for being duly re-elected by the people of our country as the sixth Executive President, CCC said in a statement.

The CCC is aware of the immense responsibility President Rajapaksa would have to shoulder in continuing the task of the post war development of the nation.

All citizens look forward and will undoubtedly support the establishment of a lasting peace accompanied by inclusive economic and social development, the statement said.

The CCC extends unstinted support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to guide the nation on a path of sustainable socio economic development, the statement said.

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) in a statement also congratulated President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his victory at the Presidential Election.

The NCCSL said this is a clear mandate given by the public who have shown their faith and confidence on the economic policies of the President.

“This victory also confirms the right path the President took in supporting local industries to strengthen its position locally while assisting them to become international players”, it said.

NCCSL also pledged its fullest co-operation to the President and the Government in developing the economy and the business sector in the country.

National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) President Sarath De Silva congratulated the President on his election for a second term of office.

“The Chamber wishes to record its commitment to extend assistance and support to the President and the Government of Sri Lanka to achieve economic goals that have been already set to ensure the future growth and prosperity of Sri Lanka,” he said in a statement.

The war is over. The country has now begun to enjoy the long awaited peace and stability that is so vital to achieve future development goals. In this context the people of Sri Lanka have given a very clear mandate to President.

The President to forge ahead with his program to make Sri Lanka an economically prosperous nation, he said.

Sri Lanka Chamber of Small and Medium Industries President Aloy Jayawardene said the Small and Medium sector of Industry extends their congratulations to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the magnanimous victory at the Presidential Elections.

“We should now focus on work towards building a strong economy and a better Sri Lanka. President will have the vision to build this nation and country not on ethnic lines, but to create a true Sri Lankan identity and end confrontational politics that have plagued Mother Lanka for the past 60 years”, he said.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Sri Lanka Chairman Tissa Jayaweera said we congratulate Mahinda Rajapaksa, President, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on being re-elected President.

“We envisage to see development of infrastructure within the whole country based on population concentration. Consistent economic policy for growth of industry, commerce, services and trade. Simplified tax policy for all citizens, commercial establishments to contribute taxes for economic development.

Encourage trade and travel between SAARC and South / East Asia as well as the rest of the trading partners, he said.

The Mission of ICC Sri Lanka is to support Government to ensure lasting peace with due respect to all citizens of Sri Lanka without discrimination to ensure economic growth and prosperity”, Jayaweera said.