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| Sunday, 23 March 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Businesses to be affiliated to trade chambers by Elmo Leonard From January, 2004, it would be mandatory for all business entities in Sri Lanka, irrespective of size, to be affiliated to a trade chamber, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Ravi Karunanayake said, at the AGM of the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE). The occasion was made use of to felicitate NCE's founder president, Patrick Amarasinghe. In the 1980's and early 1990's Amarasinghe was often regarded as a champion for the cause of further exports from the country. He was also referred to as a champion for the rights of the private sector. Amerasinghe's crusade for more exports, was carried out at monthly meetings of NCE, and at public fora, when he branded the local bureaucracy as "terrorists". A phrase he often used was "bureaucratic terrorism." Amarasinghe claimed, that beureaucrats, through their lethargy and bungling, retarded the rate of exports from from Sri Lanka, and in turn, impeded the development of the nation. For Amarasinghe's criticism in the past, on government ministers and the bureaucracy, he had been penalised twice, Minister Karunanayake recounted. But, at the end of the day, Amarasinghe and the ministers had continued their friendship, he said. Minister Karunanayake acknowledged that he had learnt many things about the private sector from Patrick Amarasinghe, including the need to fight for one's rights. Minister of Power and Energy, Karu Jayasuriya, referred to Patrick Amarasinghe as a legend in the annals of Sri Lanka's trade chambers. Minister Jayasuriya, who was earlier in life, a leader of trade chambers, had realised that when Amarasinghe spoke the truth, he was often misunderstood. Amarasinghe had long attempted to merge all trade chambers in Sri Lanka under one body. "In his endeavour, Amerasinghe was not 100 percent successful," the Energy Minister said. Minister Jayasuriya said that in the present context, exporters were often hampered due to lack of capital. The two development banks in the country were now not functioning as development banks, thus, a new bank would be formed to assist exporters. Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) chairman, Dr Saman Kelegama recounted the business life of Patrick Amarasinghe and his many contributions towards exporters and the private sector. The membership of NCE awarded Patrick Amarasinghe a medal and plaque in appreciation of his contribution to the chamber of exporters. Amarasinghe said that, being an old man now, he was weaning away from trade chamber activity. |
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