Ceylon Chamber hails NPC poll; renews support for nation’s peace, prosperity
Monday, 21 October 2013 00:03
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The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in a statement has hailed the conduct of the Northern Province Council election as well as several follow up developments as welcoming whilst renewing private sector support for the country’s peace and prosperity.
Following is the full statement of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce:
The end of the 30-year conflict, in May 2009, ushered in a new dawn for the country. In recent weeks, there have been important developments that give cause for optimism regarding the creation of the conditions for securing long-term stability and prosperity in the country.
First, the President took a courageous decision to give the people of the north access to greater democracy, after more than three decades, with the holding of the Northern Provincial Council elections. It is also commendable that independent observers concluded that the will of the people had been freely and fairly expressed.
In addition, two recent steps by the Tamil National Alliance give greater confidence that peace and reconciliation is now within grasp. The first was the selection of a well-respected former Supreme Court Justice as its Chief Ministerial candidate for the NPC election. The second was the decision of its Chief Minister-elect to take his oaths before the President of the country, in Colombo. Both these actions – replete with political risk – send strong messages of the TNA’s commitment to Sri Lanka.
These actions of the country’s political leadership, at both the national and provincial levels, provide grounds for optimism about the future prospects of all Sri Lankans.
It is important that all Sri Lankans look to the future in a spirit of peace and reconciliation. In this context, the LLRC recommendations are an excellent way forward. We also ask that future negotiations are conducted among the political leadership of various communities of this country rather than seeking the assistance of third parties. We trust that the recent demonstrations of goodwill from all sides will give confidence that such a process is possible.
We ask all those who believe in and look forward to a Sri Lanka free of conflict to strengthen the hands of the country’s political leadership so that the hopes for peace and reconciliation will soon be a reality.
The business community in Sri Lanka remains firmly committed to partner all stakeholders of the country in their journey towards peace and prosperity so that hopes for a peaceful and prosperous future for all Sri Lankans become a reality.
