Sri Lanka’s business community condemns attacks, urges calm, unity
View(s):An outpouring of grief, anger and bitterness tinged with a call for calm, unity and peace was evident this week as several business chambers and associations expressed their views and concern in the aftermath of probably, Sri Lanka’s worst single-most terrorist attack.
Several chambers of commerce, including Sri Lanka’s main Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in a joint statement last Sunday said it was “shocked and deeply saddened by the multiple explosions that occurred this morning”.
Seven chambers, in the joint statement, strongly condemned the attacks and said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and all those affected by the explosions.” It urged the authorities to maintain law and order and call for speedy action to investigate and bring the perpetrators before the law. “It is vital at this point that the nation stands united and not be misled by unverified reports/information. We call upon all Sri Lankans to act in a responsible manner and assist the authorities to restore normalcy,” the statement said.
Joining these business chambers who expressed concern, the National Chamber of Commerce strongly condemned the attacks on religious locations, and hotels that are connected more with businesses.
“We urge the authorities for a speedy investigation to the matter and have law and order in place without allowing other groups to take advantage of the situation. The entire country should be united at this moment and support the authorities to maintain law and order,” it said.
Women’s chamber
The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Tuesday urged all Sri Lankans to stand united, to act responsibly and to support all authorities to restore law and order in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday atrocities.
“As women entrepreneurs and professionals, we condemn this senseless act and condole with everyone who was impacted. We feel the agony it has caused to the families of those who suffered, directly and indirectly, both local and foreign nationals. It is extremely disheartening to note that the fundamental rights of the nation, the right to safety, have been taken away from us ruthlessly. The impact this will have, on the economy in the near future will be unmeasurable,” said Chamber Chairperson Chathuri Ranasinghe in a media statement.
She said that on behalf of the members of their organisation, the chamber was committed to supporting all initiatives that are taken nationally to support those who were impacted. “Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, all others affected and for our country Sri Lanka,” the statement said.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka also strongly condemned the attacks while extending its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected. “We stand united with our fellow Sri Lankans and look to our leaders and the authorities concerned to swiftly enforce law and order whilst upholding the principles of democracy and the stability of the nation,” it said.
SLASSCOM says
The Sri Lanka Association of Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM), while expressing shock and sadness, said it was confident that the authorities will maintain law and order, investigate and bring these perpetrators before the law. “It is vital at this point that the nation stands united and not be misled by unverified reports/information. We call upon all Sri Lankans to act in a responsible manner and assist the authorities to restore normalcy,” the association said thanking member companies who provided uninterrupted services and support to global clients.
Members of the Sri Lanka Start-up Community, a group of industry professionals, said on Tuesday they were traumatized and deeply saddened with the recent attacks in the country.
“Many of us have spent our formative years in the shadows of a 30-year long civil war that scarred our lives forever. Some of us lost loved ones, some were harmed and all of us lived under the constant fear of paying the ultimate price for a crime that we did not commit. Since the war ended in 2009, we faced a diverse set of challenges in our lovely island nation. Thankfully, terrorism was not one of those challenges. This changed on April 21. Once again, we are forced to live in a state of terror because a small group of people decided that intimidation through terrorism is the way to resolve problems,” the group said in a media statement.
It said the Sri Lanka Start-up Community is a vibrant group of hard-working people who have been building entrepreneurial ventures to move Sri Lanka forward, economically. “We speak different languages, wear different clothing, come from different places, worship different Gods, and some no God at all. The one thing that brings us together is our country. As a group of people, we aspire to do great things and we dream of a flourishing Sri Lanka,” it said.
The group vehemently condemned these attacks and urged the relevant authorities to take all necessary actions immediately to bring the situation under control.
“In this difficult time, we request our brothers and sisters to remain calm and not engage in spreading hate. We have a lot to look forward to. We urge all Sri Lankans to stay strong and aspire to be ambassadors of goodwill, empathy and tolerance. We offer our deepest sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones in these attacks and we pray for those who are injured a speedy recovery. We also appreciate and acknowledge the sincere work carried out by the members of the tri-forces, Police, emergency services, medical services, blood donors and everyone else who provided help whatever the way they could. Because of you, we truly believe that we are standing on the shoulders of giants,” it said, adding: “Let us stay united. Let us emerge stronger than ever.”
FITIS
The Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka strongly condemning the attacks, expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and all those affected. “During this tragic time and in this hour of need, FITIS extends its fullest support to the Government to ensure the law and order and to investigate and bring the perpetrators before the law,” it said.
EFC view
The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon and its membership condemned the terrorist attacks that were carried out on Easter Sunday targeting civilians at places of worship and at several member establishments.
While extending its deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and pray that those who were injured will make a full and speedy recovery, the country’s main employers’ trade union said: “We call upon state authorities responsible for law and order to ensure that investigations are carried out thoroughly and that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to justice without delay. Similarly, we appeal to the relevant authorities to assist employers and provide information as appropriate in order that they could secure their establishments and carry on day to day business without interruption.”