Statement from Softlogic

There is an unprecedented movement in the history of our country with all sections of the community coming together in peaceful protest, demanding a solution to the economic problems besetting their families and their wellbeing. Many countries are similarly facing these urgent challenges at the same time given the unprecedented post-pandemic recovery, while finding a solution to such persistent problems is not easy whatever government is in charge.

Economic problems in our country of no gas, electricity, water and soaring food prices, have all become an existential issue for the majority of people with society responding with a clarion call for help. It would be irresponsible to quell such protests but rather we as a responsible employer of tens of thousands of staff in some of the most essential and important sectors of economy in the country urge all sections of the people to facilitate the policymakers in finding a viable solution at this pivotal period of time. We have a choice of either becoming part of the problem or becoming part of the solution. We must always act conscionably and the voice of the masses is no doubt a positive contribution to the solution we often times find eluding us.

The problem in the country today is the product of successive policy irregularities spanning a period of 70 years. In an ideal society, all sections of society should benefit from a benign policy regime which are essentially long term and hard to find. But we are optimistic that the right people have been put in the right positions to discuss these pressing matters with the international funding agencies and bi-lateral partners, which is the need of the hour.

At Softlogic we operate our business ethos within the existing policy framework and business climate for the benefit of all. Our motto has always been to serve the people - our customers come first, and our employees and shareholders no doubt benefit from serving them. Similarly, if the country gains, we all gain.

Peace, freedom and security are everyone's inalienable right. We are a plural society with plural belief systems, and no matter what, all communities have the same aspirations and the same heartbeat, and we must uphold the principle of universal franchise enshrined in the global charter reflecting the highest standard of truth.

Today, the protests and the gatherings of the people with an alarming insistence calling for change symbolize a much deeper search for truth. Such relentlessness and pain cannot go unheeded and those who have the power to change must do so with utmost urgency. We all must listen to the clarion call for help and respond with great compassion and justice. Let it be known that the greatest justice can come only when the masses realize their own leadership motivations and aspirations and that true liberation, which is embedded in all religions, must be tapped within their own beings.

As a responsible organization with a significant employee base and a customer base of even greater number, we will always hope that the light of truth will prevail and the darkest moments in history will become a turning point where we move forward with greater understanding, patience, conviction and tolerance. What we witness today as a united front, is something which can propel the country forward and transform itself with great energy. This is the time of true awakening where in unity we find leadership and common ground; and in unity we find peace, freedom and security.

Sri Lanka has always been a resilient nation having gone through many turbulent times before. As such, we expect the country to normalize its economic activities when friendly nations, bilateral partners and multilateral funding agencies assist us with a sense of urgency. At this critical time, we would urge all political forces to reach common ground and work together while shunning partisan views. It is the need of the hour, to put the country first rather than to find political self-interest interfering with the emergence of a tractable solution. A stable government is a prerequisite for economic stability. Should a convergence of minds be reached, we are very confident that with all the forces being galvanized for the betterment of the country we as a nation will emerge stronger than ever before. We stand united for the betterment of Sri Lanka.