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| Sunday, 5 February 2006 |
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FCCISL hails peace initiative The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), the apex private sector representative body hails the new peace initiative of President Mahinda Rajapakse and requests all parties concerned including the main opposition and LTTE to have a serious and genuine approach in making this opportunity a historical reality by ushering permanent peace to Sri Lanka. FCCISL President Nawaz Rajabdeen said that the bold and sincere commitment of President Rajapakse and his Government have been able to win a broader consensus on the need and the importance of early resumption of peace talks by having a broader understanding at the All Party Conference and by winning the support and blessings of the international community. Both these factors, the broader consensus of all political parties represented in parliament and positive intervention of international community are two pre-requisites in reviving the peace talks. The Government within a short period has been successful in handling these two factors as a result of which the country can renew its hope on lasting peace. The Southern political parties should not take this as a political issue and try to play petty politics at the cost of the country's peace and prosperity. At this point the unity and collective strength will form a formidable force in strengthening the hands of Government at the negotiating table. FCCISL also hails the open invitation extended by the President to all Sri Lankans. The FCCISL President also commends the courage, political maturity and broad mindness demonstrated by Mahinda Samarasinghe and Keheliya Rambukwella by extending their support to the government by positively responding to the open invitation of the president. These new developments will also help in creating a new political culture in Sri Lanka realising the expectation and dreams of many Sri Lankans. FCCISL will continue to contribute towards peace-building in Sri Lanka by facilitating the North South Business Dialogue. Towards this, FCCISL has been strengthening institutional linkages with the private sector business communities in the North and East areas. The latest addition is the establishment of the Kilinochchi District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture which was inaugurated on January 24 in Kilinochchi. During 2002 and 2003 the FCCISL successfully established and strengthened the private sector institutional network by in the north and east. Accordingly five district chambers of commerce were set up in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara. In 2005 FCCISL also established the District Chamber in Mannar. Another significant contribution by FCCISL is the financial, technical and marketing support given to the micro, small and medium scale entrepreneurs and livelihoods affected by the tsunami through the "Back-to-Business" program of FCCISL. FCCISL has already distributed over Rs.50 million among the affected MSMEs and livelihoods in the North and the East. This support has been given to affected entrepreneurs and livelihoods in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Ampara, Batticaloa, Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu districts. Special help desks have been set up in the district Chambers in Jaffna, Ampara, Batticalaoa, Trincomalee and Kilinochchi. The Mullaithivu District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture is
now under incorporation after which the Tsunami Help Desk will be
established in Mullaithivu as well. |
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