Momentum’ synchronised forum concludes with hope for the future
‘Momentum’, the much-hyped synchronised forum for professionals was held this week with over 2300 industry professionals including engineers, company CEOs, directors, Ministry Secretaries, and senior government officials and few business leaders attending the sessions held simultaneously at four locations – Cinnamon Grand, Cinnamon Lakeside, Hotel Galadari and Hilton Colombo Residencies.
A newly formed organisation called ‘Professionals for a Stable Sri Lanka’ had organised this forum, which organisers claimed as Asia’s largest synchronised forum by introducing live video and audio streaming system for the first time.
Although the organisers were careful in not revealing the reason for conducting this forum, elaborate arrangements at the venues implied that it was aimed at boosting the image of the incumbent president and garnering support of the professionals and the business community for his victory in the upcoming presidential elections.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited all four venues and made brief speeches thanking participants for their presence in large numbers to hear his vision for Sri Lanka which includes the elimination of poverty and tackling corruption that would hold back the progress of the country.
The president was in a cheerful mood when he exchanged pleasantries with participants and panellists at Hotel Galadari but his face showed tiredness following his countrywide election campaign.
Around 512 invitees were present at the ‘Momentum’ forum and the majority of them numbering over 150 Sri Lanka Telecom executives and engineers were present at the forum. Lalith De Silva Sri Lanka Telecom CEO was among them. Several Ministry Secretaries, and officials of ICTA, Ministries of Finance, Defence and Urban Development, Indigenous Medicine, Economic Development, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority etc also attended the forum.
Several non-prominent businessmen and officials told the Business Times that they were not impressed by views expressed at the forum as everything had been repeated by the same speakers at various previous meetings, conferences and seminars.
They noted that the panel discussion was mainly centered on corruption, quick and bold decision- making of the president local and foreign brand image, etc. One participant expressed his doubt on convincing the audience on a future vision of the government as very little was mentioned on future plans.
The panel discussion moderated by Nisthar Cassim, Editor- Daily FT covered several relevant topics such as governance, corruption and transparency; the credibility of statistics; prospects for the apparel industry; the issue of unsolicited projects; tourism; multinationals and local companies and the role of professionals.
A leading businessman said that there are profitable trends after the ending of war and the private sector should identify its priorities without depending on the government. The world’s leading brands are doing business in Sri Lanka and Sri Lankan firms should look into enter overseas business ventures.
This was the first time that top private sector business leaders have stepped in to speak about the stability of the country at present and the need to continue the current progress.
(Bandula)