Exporters Chamber expresses concern over negative report of UN Panel

The Council and Members of the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) wishes to express their grave concern and disapproval of the UN Panel report made public by the Secretary General of the United Nations.

The whole world is aware that the Sri Lankan State battled the scourge of terrorism for over 30 years with its own ingenuity and resources. During this period, all communities of Sri Lanka and especially innocent people suffered immensely due to the inhuman actions of the terrorists.

Many thousands, both members of the civil society and the security forces, sacrificed their lives in the process and thousands more were maimed for life. The infrastructure of the country was also destroyed to a great extent and the economy suffered immensely, thereby affecting the lives of the innocent people in Sri Lanka and the very existence of many.

The business community in general and the exporters of Sri Lanka in particular, whom the chamber strives to serve, suffered serious setbacks during the 30-year period. Growth of exports, which makes a vital contribution to the economy of the country and the wellbeing of the people, was severely retarded.

With the annihilation of the most ruthless terrorist movement the world has seen, after 30 years all communities in Sri Lanka have been able to breathe a sigh of relief with the dawn of peace that was a dream for so long.

Business activities, including exports, have begun to pick up, even overcoming the world economic recession experienced during the last couple of years. Foreign investors have also begun to see the potential and the bright future that awaits this country. The tourism sector especially shows immense potential and hope for the future.

With the massive infrastructure development programmes undertaken by the Government and the rebuilding of lives of all affected people, especially those in the north and the east of the country have begun to reap the benefits of peace, through the expansion of production activities and generation of supplies for export.

In the above background, it is most shocking to witness the attempt being made to undertake a meaningless exercise to investigate human rights violations during the conduct of the war, to appease the agendas and ulterior motives of interest groups as well as supporters of the terrorist outfit, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

It is also noteworthy that the panel report makes an attempt to legitimise its biased conclusions by proposing that human rights violations of both the State and the terrorist group be investigated. This boils down to an exercise which will be confined to the alleged violations by the State, because responsible leaders and core members of the terrorist outfit no longer exist to be investigated.

It is appalling that the so-called protectors of human rights and humanitarian law chose to watch in silence for many years while the terrorists committed the most inhuman acts and violations of human rights.

Any attempt to pursue an agenda to initiate an investigation at this stage will only result in the disruption of all development activities being undertaken by the Government, discourage investments in business activities both by foreign investors and Sri Lankans, create mistrust and divisions between the communities once again instead of healing them and encourage the remnants of terrorists and those with divisive motives to regroup and rise once again.

In the above background, the NCE, which represents the cream of the exporter community in Sri Lanka that contributes over three fourths of export earnings, generating employment opportunities to thousands, including those eagerly awaiting such opportunities in the war ravaged north and east, is determined to extend its fullest support to the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome the machinations of forces who wish to see the disruption of the prevailing peace and economic activities of the country to achieve their evil ends.