SUNIL JAYASIRI 
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Private sector fears
The private sector fears that the exchange between the government and the international community will lead to grave consequences for industry in the country. This panic is expressed in the ‘Sri Lanka Private Sector Assessment of the Panel of Experts Advisory Report to the UN Secretary General’.
“The Sri Lankan Private Sector has observed with deep concern the exchanged between the GOSL and the international community on the issue of accountability without a resolution,” the report says.
The independent assessment goes on to detail the impact of the government’s interaction with the international community on small businessman. “Deprivation of the GSP Plus taxes by the EU is felt at the level of the small holder apparel manufacturers/exporters and the contemplated US economic sanctions, if implemented will affect the population,” the report details.
The report also claims that the retributive nature of the UN Panel’s report will only rehash the past. “Demonising the GOSL will only fester old wounds,” it says. The report admits however that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’s interim note is “far from perfect”.
The assessment provides a prescription in its concluding lines. “The most appropriate mechanism for the crafting of this process is a pubic-private partnership with both civil society and media as part of the stakeholder participation,” the report reads.
The assessment compiled by four private sector Chambers and Associations, collectively representing a significant majority of the Lankan business community, present their qualms of the consequences to the economy of Sri Lanka if proper engagement is not maintained with the international community. The report is endorsed by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka and the Joint Apparel Association Forum. (Dianne Silva)
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