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| Sunday, 2 February 2003 |
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Parliament dissolution:Business leaders warn of economic chaos The repercussions of another election at the present juncture would mean that the economy of the nation would go back into a chaotic state, it was in prior to the general elections of December 2001, Hatton National Bank's General Manager, Rienzie Wijetilleke said. No responsible leader would call for an election at this crucial time, when the economy of the nation was beginning to stabilise after a negative growth rate it had experienced prior to the elections, Wijetilleke said. It would spell economic suicide, if a section of politicians had their way. In addition, there are signs of a brewing global conflict. Such people do not have the nation at heart, rather, their own petty political objectives drive them on, Wijetilleke said. While other nations are progressing, an election at this time would mean that Sri Lanka would again go into an economic abyss. It is clear that at the last general elections, the United Front Government got a clear mandate from the people, and a period of at least three years is necessary for the government to show what they could do, Wijetilleke said. Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry's, Immediate Past President, Macky Hashim said that political stability is paramount for economic progress of a nation. In the instances of France and Italy, of yesteryear, unstable governments led to economic declines. "A 5th grade child could understand such financial logic," Hashim said. An election now, would lead to economic turmoil. The cost of an election must be paid by the rate payer. Further, the national monetary resources must bear the cost of posters, and many other factors, even the cost of fuel, needed for an election campaign. "Don't talk of a drop in BoI investment during the time of an unstable economy, even local investors would certainly not invest," Hashim said. Foreign investors through the Colombo Stock Exchange would pull out. Since the talk of holding an election surfaced a week ago, the Colombo's stock trading has declined dramatically, Hashim pointed out. Meanwhile one of the leading political analysts and Director of the Centre for Policy Alternative Dr. Paikiasothy Sarvanamuttu said: Any attempt to hold an election at this juncture will create adverse effects on the ongoing peace process. The People's Alliance could not succeed in the peace initiatives, when it was on the ruling party at the Parliament. But, now the United National Front government has progressed to a considerable extent at the talks with the LTTE. Therefore if these is any polls at this juncture it will certainly jeorpardise the peace process and the economy of the country. Sarvodaya Leader Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne said: This is not the time to play power games. The entire country has suffered the worst effects of the war. Now the people of this are expecting something constructive out of the ongoing peace process. Therefore anyone thinking of holding a election at this point could be nothing but sheer madness. |
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