The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce officials met with the leaders of several key political parties during the past four days to discuss the serious economic and political challenges faced by the country.
During the detailed discussions that took place at these meetings held separately, the CCC described the rapidly deteriorating condition of the economy and business environment and requested the political parties to work together with the interim government to address the key economic challenges which could easily take the country towards a humanitarian crisis if not resolved soon.
The Chamber emphasised the importance of having a stable government in place to finalise the staff level agreement with the IMF and to appoint financial and legal advisors to proceed with the debt restructuring process.
All the political party delegations led by their respective leaders explained to the CCC their inability to join the new government and accept ministerial portfolios due to the manner in which the new Prime Minister was appointed.
The political parties reiterated that the only way forward is to call for early elections so that the people’s mandate can clearly be represented in the legislature as the people have lost confidence in the current parliament. However, they agreed to wait for a certain period during which the economy can be stabilised to some extent before elections are held.
Prior to the developments that took place last week, the Chamber also met Leader of the SLFP Maithripala Sirisena and several other parliamentarians from that party and called on them to support the formation of an interim national government.
Ceylon Chamber was represented by Chairman Vish Govindasamy, Vice Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa, Deputy Vice Chairman Krishan Balendra, other Board members, several past chairpersons and the CEO.
Among the leaders they met were Leader of the Opposition and SJB, Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Leader of the TNA M. A. Sumanthiran and Leader of the SLMC Rauf Hakeem and parliamentarians from these parties.