Policies of the Opposition rejected:

Business fraternity salutes UPFA's historic victory

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Intellectuals the business community and the Chambers hailed the historic victory of the UPFA and pronounced that this mandate is a clear indication that the people have endorsed Mahinda Chintana.

Former President and Chairman Hotel Developers, the owning company of Colombo Hilton said that the verdict of the people is one way of showing their gratitude to the government which had eradicated terrorism and is leading the country to economic prosperity.

The policies of the Opposition have been rejected by the people and the MPs who had openly supported their leader Ranil Wickramasinghe (Vajira Abeywardana and Sagala Ratnayake have been shown the door hinting that the leader is not accepted outside Colombo.

Dr. Kishu Gomes

Nawaz Rajabdeen

The UNP had told the voters not to elect Ranjith Maddumabandara from Moneragala but they, the voters have rejected this and elected him instead. Newcomers such as Upeksha Swarnamali and Ruwan Wijewardane have put senior stalwarts like Karu Jayasuriya, Jayalath Jayawardane and John Amaratunge from the Gampaha district to shame while the same scenario was for the party spokesman Gayantha Karunatilleke from Galle and Lakshman Seneviratne from Badulla.

The party has been reduced from 80 plus to less than 50, which clearly shows their dwindling popularity and the lack of proper leadership.

"With the resounding victory the government has recorded, the two biggest impediments to achieve economic prosperity for the motherland have been fully removed; firstly the terrorism and after an year's time the political stability." said CEO, Caltex Lubricants, Dr. Kishu Gomes.

He said that there will be many other barriers that have to be crossed in the country's journey of economic revival, the foundation is now very solid to take those right decisions from a medium to long term perspective.

Anura Lokuhetty

Rohantha Atukorale

Vindyani Hettigoda

"One thing that is very evident with the election result is that people of Sri-Lanka are willing to sacrifice their short term well-being to build a country that can offer the right quality of life in the long run."

"Given the mandate, the government must now review the operating environment, take a hard look at and bring about changes required to make Sri-Lanka a destination conducive for investment. To do this effectively, a benchmark study needs to be done and learn from to create competitive advantages over the other emerging economies in the region. The right alignment and positioning are crucial to make a kick start.

"Let us all join hands to make things happen forgetting all the differences for the sake of the country, "he appealed.

Former Chairman Export Development Board (EDB) the National Council For Economic Development (NCED) and Head of Portfolio Development United Nations Operations (UNOPS), Rohantha Atukorale said that the mandate that the people have given, is win for the 'Home Grown Economic Model' that Sri Lanka has been practising for the last 5 years.

Sri Lanka is a buzz word globally right now, ranked among the top ten growth economies of the world and a hot spot tourist destination.

"We now need to capitalize on this opportunity and the build Sri Lankan economy to be the 'tiger' of the South Asia before this world buzz dies down on Sri Lanka in the next two years."

"We must also drive investments into tourism and build the economic model around the port development, aviation industry with the second port coming up in Hambanthota, energy through oil exploration and trade between South Asian countries whilst securing the EU market. We must invest on the Tea industry and Cinnamon industry so that Nation Branding will take place naturally," he added.

The private sector must support the government to make Sri Lanka practise a 'Home grown economic model' where we achieve zero poverty, zero child mortality and zero un employment levels which are achievable goals for our country.

President of the Women's Chamber and a leading women's business personality, Vindyani Hettigoda said that this victory is a clear indication of people's faith on Mahinda Chintana policies. "People have given a clear mandate to the UPFA to form a stable government to take this country to prosperity under the guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa," she added.

The Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) extended its congratulations to UPFA.

Ms. Hettigoda expressed that the Association is extremely positive about progressing along the lines of empowering women to prosper in the corporate world, in micro industries and cottage industries: "We take this victory as a new impetus as we are confident of UPFA government's support for the WCIC to develop our insisting initiatives while guiding us along future human resources development projects".

President of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kosala Wickramanayake said that the resounding victory would increase investor confidence as they always look to a stable government before making investments.

"The government should now implement a 100-day crash program to follow up investments deals signed by the BoI and assist the investors to iron out other problems "Once an investor pledges an investment the government should give 100 days and follow up and iron out any problems if any. An equal playing field too should be created for both local and foreign investors," he added.

North East development too should be a priority.

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the premier Chamber extends its warmest congratulations

to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the incumbent Government for being re-elected with a clear majority at the General election.

Our nation is now well poised for rapid economic growth and sustainable peace with the ending of the war and the election of a strong and stable government bringing in the necessary political stability.

The Chamber is confident that this will usher in an era conducive for business development and growth for the private sector to join hands with the government to contribute more to the development of our country.

The private sector is already encouraged by the steps taken by the government to simplify the tax regime and administrative procedures in order to make investment and business processes easier.

This will enable the private sector to fully utilize the physical infrastructure being developed by the government on a priority basis.

The Chamber would like to call upon all sections of our society to come together as Sri Lankans to make full use of this historic opportunity to make their fullest contribution so that all sections of our people can reap the benefits from sustainable peace, prosperity and, economic growth.

The Chamber of Commerce pledges its wholehearted and unstinted support to the government to fulfill the "Mahinda Chinthana - forward vision."

Former Director, Galle Face Hotels and Managing Director, Serene Pavilion, Wadduwa, Anura Lokuhetty said that they were very happy with the election results and it is a clear majority after liberating the country from terrorism in last May.

"As a person involved in the tourism industry for last three decades we hope that the government will have a very positive approach by truly considering tourism as the main growth engine for development in the economy of Sri Lanka."

Government requires appointing an experienced minister on a long-term basis enabling him to implement and move forward the government's vision for developing tourism in the country.

"Furthermore capabilities and experience needs to be considered when filling the key positions in this field. We in the industry are hopeful that President will make use of this great victory of people to make tourism is a vital industry to make the country a prosperous country."

Vice President, Ceylinco Golden Key Depositors Association Dushanthi Hapugoda said that they are happy with the verdict and hope their woes would now be addressed in a more aggressive manner. "While the breakaway Union requested to vote for the opposition we had faith in President Mahinda Rajapaksa as we know that it is only this government that can fulfill the promises it made to the public," she said.

Sri Lanka Guardian says that now it is important to respect the rule of law. "The Police, the Public Services and all other organs of government need to be depoliticized. The public must have confidence that they can seek justice and obtain justice. The 17th amendment was intended to do that. If there are loopholes in the law, they can be put right by bringing in amending legislation. They cannot be put right by flouting the law. The government and its leaders have to set an example to the rest of the country that the country's laws need to be observed," it said.

The Asian Tribune said that with elections now over for a considerable period...the people will now want action.

Inefficiency is generally what the working populace would like to make known to the Government. Lethargy by public sector, age-old systems, bureaucracy are the most likely matters that the private sector would ideally like to have the Government sort out. Popularity amongst the rural masses need to be translated into better facilities for these people - better means of livelihood, assistance in agriculture, monetary aid to start some means of livelihood, infrastructure development etc.

For the entire island the education and health sectors need urgent improvement with proper and fixed policies.

With these areas addressed the Government can expect to keep the confidence of the people....thuggery, political influence, underworld influence, nefarious elements and the problem of drugs are other areas that the Government needs to act upon quickly. The mayhem created by VIP convoys is another area that the Government needs to stop immediately.

The most important lesson to the Government is that the people will be watching and the people now know their power and as easily as they have given they can take it away too.