Dianne Silva
The private sector is concerned that the dispute on accountability issues between the government and the international community would lead to grave consequences for Sri Lanka’s industrial sector.
These fears are expressed in the ‘Sri Lanka Private Sector Assessment of the Panel of Experts Advisory Report to the UN Secretary General’. “The Sri Lankan private sector has observed with deep concern the exchange between the government and the international community on the issue of accountability without a resolution,” the report says.
The independent assessment goes on to detail the impact of the government’s interaction with the international community on small businessmen.
“Deprivation of the GSP Plus concessions by the European Union (EU) is felt at the level of the small holder apparel manufacturers/ exporters and the contemplated US economic sanctions, which if implemented will affect the population,” the report said.
It claims that the retributive nature of the UN Panel’s report will only rehash the past. “Demonizing the GOSL will only lead to the festering of old wounds,” the report said. The report admits however that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) interim note is “far from perfect”
The assessment provides a prescription in its concluding lines.
“The most appropriate mechanism for the crafting of this process is a public-private partnership with both civil society and media as part of the stakeholder participation,” the report said.
The assessment compiled by four private sector Chambers and Associations, collectively representing a significant majority of the Lankan business community, aired their qualms about the consequences to Sri Lanka’s economy if proper engagement was not maintained with the international community. The report is endorsed by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and the Joint Apparel Association Forum.
DM
Panic in private sector
altThe private sector has expressed its fears that the exchange between the Government and the international community will lead to grave consequences for industry in the country. In ‘Sri Lanka Private Sector Assessment of the Panel of Experts Advisory Report’ to the UN Secretary General they have expressed this panic.
The report says “The Sri Lankan Private Sector has observed with deep concern the exchanged between the GOSL and the international community on the issue of accountability without a resolution”.
The impact of the government’s interaction with the international community on small businessman has been appraised in detail. The report appraises “Deprivation of the GSP Plus taxes by the EU is felt at the level of the small holder apparel manufacturers/exporters and the contemplated US economic sanctions, if implemented will affect the population.”
The report asserts the revengeful nature of the UN Panel’s report will only repeat the past while it admits that the interim note of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission is ‘far from perfect’.
The report recommends “The most appropriate mechanism for the crafting of this process is a public-private partnership with both civil society and media as part of the stakeholder participation” in its concluding lines.
The four private sector Chambers and Associations which present their qualms of the consequences to the economy if proper engagement is not maintained with the international community are comprised with Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and the Joint Apparel Association Forum.
LT