Ceylon Chamber Cheers President’s Call to Form All-Party Government

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce welcomes the call by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to initiate the formation of an All-Party Government, as a concerted and united effort is necessary to address the current challenges facing the country.

At this extremely crucial juncture for Sri Lanka, the Chamber urged all political parties must join hands and put Sri Lanka First over individual agendas.

It noted that an All-Party Government should be acceptable to all sections of the public and equitably represents the views of all parties, which would work towards a common minimum program is the first step toward addressing the current crisis. Therefore, a policy framework with broad consensus by all parties is required, so that an agreed reform agenda will spur global confidence amongst investors, the private sector, and the public.

“We appreciate the steps taken by the Government to improve the shortages as a result of the economic stresses including ongoing power cuts, shortage of fuel, securing adequate essential drugs and food items, and the provision of adequate fertiliser to ensure food security. This stresses the importance of leveraging technology and communications to find solutions to these shortages,” it said.

The Chamber has in the recent past highlighted the need to urgently resume IMF negotiations with a view to reaching a staff level agreement expeditiously, proposed amendments to the Constitution, and the need for State-Owned Enterprise reforms as being among key priorities.

“The implementation of a sustainable economic recovery plan will take time to bear fruit and key milestones will need to be set. We therefore call for all parties and the public to work together and be patient to usher in a new era for Sri Lanka,” it added.