The National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) yesterday expressed grave concerns about the status of the export sector, as it continues to be heavily impacted by the ongoing economic turmoil.

Despite a set target to reach US $ 20 billion in export revenue by the end of 2022, the government has failed to maintain a regular supply of power and energy, completely disrupting the production process of this country, the NCE asserted.

“Sri Lankan exporters are facing extreme difficulties to continue with their daily operation under these tragic circumstances and opting for generators have increased the cost of production. Our members have expressed grave concern and disappointment over the failure of the policymakers and responsible state institutions to resolve this disaster,” said NCE Secretary General and CEO Shiham Marikar.

Speaking on behalf of the members, he said exported are disappointed with the poor decisions, faulty assumptions, ineffective planning, sluggish responses and above all, the poor and weaker leadership that has resulted in the current ill-fated condition.

“The stark assessment that, time and again those who were responsible for protecting and leading the nation have failed miserably to do either. One failure leading to another has created mayhem, which fractured the whole system leading to massive social unrest,” Marikar said, sharing the views of the exporters.

The prolonged power cuts of 10-13 hours have caused the public and businesses to suffer. Businesses are unable to plan production and employees are unable to report to work. Matters took a worse turn as inflation has escalated due to unbearable levels of cost of living. The country is currently experiencing social unrest as people have no other option but to fight for their rights.

The NCE also lamented that the current crisis has emerged due to the abject failure of the policymakers and relevant state institutions for failing to implement projects for alternative power generation.

The NCE stressed that the economic and social failure has turned Sri Lanka on its head.

“It is clear that responsible decision makers need to step up and act quickly to find ways to at least mitigate further disasters.

“There is much we don’t know about what happens next but what we do know is that leadership is not where it should be and the system as it stands now is clearly unfit to resolve these matters,” Marikar said, sharing the concerns of the exporters.