Call early parliamentary polls, Ceylon Chamber urges
View(s):Sri Lanka’s top chamber group on Thursday urged the Government to hold parliamentary polls as promised (ahead of schedule) while raising concerns over diverse positions in the coalition administration.
“… the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) urges the President and Government to call a general election at the earliest possible opportunity preferably keeping to the dates announced in the 100 day programme,” the CCC said in a statement to the media.
It said the chamber notes and appreciates the many positive steps taken by the President and Government to deal with pressing issues pertaining to constitutional reforms, law and order, independence of the judiciary and media, good governance, cost of living and international relations.
“However the chamber also notes – in this instance with concern – the diverse positions taken on the forthcoming general election by parties currently forming the coalition government. In the meanwhile, pending a general election and a stable government being elected, the formulation and implementation of medium and long term economic policies have been put on hold,” the chamber noted.
As a result, a period of uncertainty prevails over the current business climate and investors both local and foreign are adopting a cautious approach towards investing in Sri Lanka.
“This is unfortunate since there has been much renewed interest in the country’s economic potential post the Presidential election in January of this year. Such interest has only been tempered by the prevailing sense of uncertainty. In the event of an investment slow down, the country’s growth targets for the year are likely to be affected as are government revenue collections,” it said.
The Chamber noted that the 100 day programme to which the coalition partners pledged support -clearly stipulates that Parliament will be dissolved on April 23 and a general election called thereafter. “Whilst a few days delay to accommodate urgent constitutional reforms will not be viewed negatively, an attempt to postpone the general elections on fragile grounds will be seen as being contrary to the promise of good governance,” it said.