Financial Times

Chandrika, Ranil should work together - poll

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A majority of Sri Lanka's business community disagree with the decision by President Chandrika Kumaratunga to sack three key ministers, declare a state of emergency which was reversed and prorogue parliament, according to a telephone poll by The Sunday Times FT desk.

But an overwhelming majority of the respondents said both parties must work together. We spoke to 150 respondents including chairmen, managing directors, CEOs and junior managers representing various sectors in business and industry and asked them to respond to four questions with a "yes", "no" or "undecided" answer. The questions were:

* Do you agree with President Chandrika Kumaratunga's action?
* Is there a need for President Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to work together?
* Will the crisis seriously set back economic growth?
* Would this jeopardize the peace process?

In the poll, 67 percent disagreed with the president's moves, 21 percent agreed while close to 12 percent were undecided. On the second question, 82 percent said both leaders should work together while 12 percent disagreed and about 6 percent were undecided.

Asked whether the crisis would affect the economy, 81 percent of the respondents said yes, 14 percent said no and about 5 percent were not sure. On the final question, 55 percent agreed the peace process would be affected, 22 percent said no while some 23 percent were undecided.

Even though they were assured their identifies would not be revealed, some company CEOs were initially reluctant to express their views worried about business repercussions if they were critical of either party.

One top garment manufacturer said orders had been cancelled till the situation eases while travel agents said bookings were cancelled and blamed the president for that.

"I can't understand why the President couldn't have waited till the Prime Minister returned to resort to these moves. It wasn't right to take these steps while he was away," said one of the respondents.
Other comments from respondents:

* Bad timing for tourism
* Five-star hotels spokespersons refuse to comment.
* It's obvious they should work together but at the same time it could trigger further clashes.
* JR, Premadasa and (D.B.) Wijetunga all held the defence portfolio while being president. So what is wrong in Kumaratunga doing the same, even though it's late?
* What the two leaders fail to realize is that when they clash, it creates fresh opportunities for the LTTE.

Interviews were conducted by Nelum Fernando, Quintus Perera, Shanika Dias and Renu Warnasuriya.

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