Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
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| D. Samson and Sons Emeritus Chairman Nandadasa Rajapaksa |
D. Samson and Sons Ltd., Emeritus Chairman Nandadasa Rajapaksa this week expressed confidence that the National People’s Power (NPP), led by its Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has the potential to develop Sri Lanka if elected.
Speaking at the NPP’s National Business Forum held at Monarch Imperial in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Rajapaksa voiced his support for Dissanayake and emphasised the importance of five key core values essential for the growth of both businesses and the nation.
Rajapaksa noted that from US Industrialist John D. Rockefeller to Panasonic founder Konosuke Matsushita in Japan, as well as all leading businessmen in Sri Lanka, success has been achieved by adhering to five core values: integrity, accountability, responsibility, transparency, and credibility.
“For the development of a country, leaders must embody these core values. We must therefore create such an atmosphere. By attending this forum, the business community is showing its support for the NPP in fostering that environment,” he said.
Rajapaksa noted the Sri Lankan business community operates as one family, without any divides. He said its only weakness is the competition among members, but emphasised that this competition is important for business development and for effectively serving customers.
The 84-year-old Rajapaksa, who was assisted onto the stage by a friend he identified as Moulana, said the incident highlights a national message. “It shows we need young leadership to move this country forward,” he said. He emphasised that the support he received from his Muslim friend also symbolises the necessity of national unity for the country’s development. “Without national unity, this country cannot develop. That is crucial,” he stressed.
The veteran business leader argued that the ideas of Marx, Lenin, and Engels are outdated today. He stressed that the NPP must champion a manufacturing economy and adopt a market-oriented approach, emphasising the importance of the customer. “We cannot develop the country without this,” he said, noting the need for foreign currency and addressing the dollar deficit.
He urged the NPP to provide necessary support to entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka and to actively invite foreign investors into the country. He explained that today, foreign investors are hesitant to invest in Sri Lanka because they are aware that the country lacks the aforementioned core values. He also noted that Sri Lankan billionaires abroad are reluctant to return for the same reasons.
Explaining his support for Dissanayake’s candidacy, Rajapaksa revealed that the NPP leader had met with him nine months ago and engaged in a discussion lasting over four hours on how to secure the support of the business community.
“I asked him for permission to offer criticism and, if agreed, I would provide guidance. He said he was impressed by Dissanayake’s adaptability, which drew him toward the NPP,” Rajapaksa noted.
Dictating Konosuke Matsushita’s seven principles for Panasonic — namely, contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, and gratitude, Rajapaksa remarked that Dissanayake demonstrated all these traits during their meeting. “This is what attracted me to him and I decided to support him,” he said.
He expressed his trust in Dissanayake and a future Cabinet under his leadership, believing the NPP can drive the development of Sri Lanka. Rajapaksa added that he wishes this privilege not only for the business community but for the entire country.
