Thursday, 30 April 2015 01:43
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The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in a statement said yesterday it welcomes the enactment of the 19thAmendment to the Constitutionto improve democratic ideals.
The Chamber hailed the crucial roles played by the President, Prime Minister and the Leaders of all Political Parties in arriving at a consensus; in spite of diverse views that prevailed initially, demonstrating their ultimate commitment towards democracy, which augurs well for the country.
The Chamber recognises the enactment of 19A, as a very important and a positive step taken; especially the inclusion of provisions related to:
Repealing of the 18th Amendment,
Constitutional Council,
Independent Commissions
nRecognition of the Right to Information as a fundamental right of citizens.
However, the Ceylon Chamber cautions that the committee stage amendments to increase the number of Parliamentarians in the composition of the Constitutional Council has the potential to compromise its independence and, believe, that the original clause would have served the interests of the country and its people better than the one on which the President, Prime Minister and the Government were finally forced to compromise on..
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, an institution that has served the nation for 176 years, is a confederation of 8,500 business entities, consisting of small and medium to large conglomerates, both private and quoted and Sri Lankan and multinational – 21business councils, 21 trade associations and 22 regional, sectoral and other chambers. It is affiliated to over 120 international chambers worldwide and is recognised as the country’s premier business chamber.
