You don’t need Rajapaksa connections; opportunities are open to all – claims Namal

MP Namal Rajapaksa last week assured that the private sector shouldn’t have the misconception that they need to be connected to the first family or their immediate circles to do business or invest in Hambantota or anywhere else in the country.

“It is unfortunate that such thinking is prevailing. This could be a legacy from the past regimes.  Certainly this is a myth today. The opportunities are open for all, provided they sincerely believe in the future of Sri Lanka, and that as a country we can do it,” Namal told the Daily FT in response to a question regarding claims that unless one knows the first family it is difficult to do business in Sri Lanka.

Namal said that by nature it is those entrepreneurs and business leaders and top companies who supported President Rajapaksa or preferred a Government under him or those  believe in post-war potential who will take the first initiative to venture out to areas such as Hambantota. “This is out of their self belief, as a duty to the nation,” he added.

“Some of those by the fact they may have supported or preferred the UNP could think that they can’t do any new ventures or could be creating their own distance from the Government. This is unnecessary. I will reassure that we as the Government are championing the development thrust and a team in President’s office is coordinating and facilitating any new ideas or ventures on a first come first served basis. But the private sector must take the initiative. They need to change their mindsets and be more positive and proactive,” Namal said.

“We all need to change the way we think,” he added stressing that onus is also on the public sector which eventually facilitates and makes a private sector venture or idea a reality.

The young MP during the interview with the Daily FT mentioned premier blue chip JKH among top listed corporates to have demonstrated such positivism judging by their new investments etc. He said he was pleasantly surprised when JKH had told him that the blue chip was keen to expand in Yala area on its own volition. Namal also named and commended the confidence and optimism of the likes of Dhammika Perera, Nimal Perera and Dilith Jayaweera whom he described as new entrepreneurs who firmly believing that post-war Sri Lanka can get it and do it right. “We need more of such thinking at all levels if we are to succeed as a dynamic nation,” Namal added.