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| Sunday, 25 July 2004 |
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Top industrialists rewarded - Chairman CNCI by Elmo Leonard Local industrialists who have reached excellence should be honoured because over the years they have weathered the storm of many unfavourable conditions, Chairman, Ceylon national Chamber of Industries (CNCI) Ranjith Hettiarachchy said at the Chamber's Industrial Awards concluded last week. The CNCI Chairman said that industrial awakening took place in the early 80's with the onset of the open economy. Since, industrialists have had to face many adverse situations, as the war which prevailed for more than 20 years. Frequent elections, political instability, power cuts, labour unrest, prolonged droughts, floods and situations of deteriorating law and order impeded progress Hettiarachchy said. Now, the war has come to a halt and a ceasefire has prevailed for two-and-a-half-years. The CNCI chairman turned to Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse, present on the occasion and said that it is hoped that the new government could bring about lasting peace and create an environment necessary for peace on all fronts. It is time to shed our political, ethnic or any other difference and think nationally with a common Sri Lanka identity. If more time is wasted, we would reach the point of no return. "The time has come to light the candle, not curse the darkness," Hettiarachchi said. Local industrialists have to compete with industrial giants such as China, India, Thailand and Indonesia who have developed extensive markets within and outside their boarders. With extended markets for goods, they have enhanced their production levels while reducing unit costs. This has resulted in higher turnovers and more profitability. Even the agricultural sectors of these nations have progressed by leaps and bounds in the recent past, Hettiarachchi said. In the year 2002 Sri Lanka was placed 59th in the International Competitiveness Rankings and has now dropped to 64th place with Malaysia, Thailand, China, India, Vietnam and Philippines getting ahead of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's Business Competitive Index has also declined to 56th position from its 47th ranking between 2002 and 2003, Hettiarachchi said. |
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