Financial Times

Presidential Polls – Have Your Say
Sri Lanka needs strong, people friendly president
A top Sri Lankan business leader believes the country needs a president who is strong and people friendly. “We need someone who would have the interests of the country at heart – not any personal agenda,” says Nawaz Rajabdeen, President of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL).

In The Sunday Times FT’s special column “Presidential Polls -- Have your say”, Rajabdeen discusses the needs of the country and the frustrations of the people. Excerpts:

What does the business community and the Federation expect from this poll?
The Federation is an apex body and we represent 46 chambers from south to north, Hambantota to Jaffna. We are a powerful group, a strong force and well represented. Politicians don’t realise this. Our chamber movement would represent at least one million people if you take the number of organisations that are directly under or affiliated to the chamber and the families of these members.

The business community expects – whichever party comes to power -- a strong leader who is also people friendly. Often before elections one sees political leaders scurrying to the village. They go house to house canvassing but after they come to power, they are not interested in the village. The people, particularly the farming community, are frustrated (with politicians).
The farming community has no infrastructure to work with. I have travelled widely and seen roads not done, bridges half built.

If politicians represent an electorate, they should be committed. Even if he loses he should go back to village and work with the people and get their confidence. As of now, electorates are badly neglected.

Does the business community have a role to play in politics?
Definitely, yes. When governments come to power, they appoint defeated candidates to run (state) organisations who don’t have a clue about business. They ruin these organisations. We need private sector participation not only in these organisations but also we should be sending business leaders to parliament as nominated members.

Most people say the private sector is biased and have only their interests at heart. Any comment?
I would tend to disagree because as a member of a chamber we are committed to this country. Now more businesspersons are worried as to what is in store for them and the policies of the government. Earlier they were not bothered and only wanted to make money. So there is some concern now.
The policies are not right. For example, every government talks of peace. But what is the use of peace without development and when people are starving or without jobs.

The government must be committed and develop districts. The people should not come to Colombo to ask for jobs. There should be development in the regions that would create jobs. Policies cannot be developed by politicians.
You need the brains of the country to do that. The government should appoint a think tank without any political bias.

These representatives should go abroad to countries like Singapore or Malaysia to learn how things are done and implement the positive side of that development.

Most people think the business community has vested interests. What do you say?
My view is that the business community should support and work with any government in power – just like public servants. We shouldn’t say we belong to party A or B. We have to guide any government. No party that comes to power knows anything about development or is concerned about the country. They just want power – they are not interested in people.

Look at the current situation – they are offering all kinds of handouts, subsidies, just to win. These are not the issues. We should improve incomes and create more jobs. The people need to be treated with respect. Take the tsunami – people want self-respect; they don’t want charity. Business persons say they will repay all the loans they take but only ask for some support. They don’t want handouts.

Are governments lacking in policies?
They don’t have the right people in the right place. The private sector can play a big role in development because they are spread across the country.
They are all over. They know what is happening. Chamber movements are an excellent structure to work with the people. In other countries, governments rely on chambers in the development drive. We must develop for the sake of the people.

People are generally frustrated with governments. There is a lot of hype before a poll; then disappointment. Will it be the same again?
The business community is frustrated because they misinterpret every government that comes to power. Some people say if one party comes in it would be a closed economy and an open economy if the other side wins.
I don’t think so. There is no closed or open economy now. I don’t think any party or group will go back to a completed closed economy.

We have to change the mindset of people. For example biscuits are manufactured here, have a good market and are also exported. Hence we don’t need biscuits from abroad. We need extra duties to discourage this kind of imports. That is protection but not a closed economy.

Take garments – we are a top exporter. If the US is happy with garments, why can’t we use them here instead of importing all our local needs? Why use so much foreign exchange to import garments when we have branded goods which our people also should be entitled to wear?

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