Shippers’ Council highlights need for smooth operational environment for businesses to operate

• Expresses concerns on current tense situation in country
• Calls on citizens to recognise importance of critical activities
• Highlights need to refrain from disruptive activities at ports, airports, industrial zones, Customs, etc.
• Says smooth operational environment will ensure availability of essential items

The current stagnant state of the operational environment could turn detrimental for the national economy and businesses, the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council (SLSC) 
cautioned yesterday.

While acknowledging the right for peaceful protests and condemning the violent events that took place on Monday, May 9, the council stressed the need for the business environment to remain active, so that the already impacted economy does not crumble further.

In a statement to the media yesterday, the SLSC expressed serious concerns on what the outcome might be of the recent events that have caused disruption in the country. The halting of services would only add to the burdens already faced by the people with devastating consequences in the future, it added.

“We request all right-minded citizens, who are involved, to recognise the importance of these critically important activities and thereby allow those to continue their services to see the country through this crucial period,” said 
the council.

The SLSC, as the apex body representing the members involved in international trade, urged all those concerned, involved in protest and strike actions, to refrain from disrupting the activities of the Sri Lanka ports, 
Sri Lanka Customs,

Board of Investment and airports to ensure their uninterrupted day-to-day operations, as they are essential services, which are critical to the country and its economy.

“The smooth operations of these institutions will ensure the continuous flow of importation of essentials such as food, fuel, medicines, inputs-for-exports and exports, which will facilitate and ensure the inflow of the much-needed foreign exchange to sustain the country’s economy in these difficult times,” the council stressed.

At the time of this paper went to print, over 2,000 trade unions across diverse sectors are on an indefinite strike. The trade union action is in retaliation to the violence carried out by pro-government supporters on the peaceful protestors earlier this week. Joining the bandwagon in calling for the establishment of a people’s government is also the trade unions of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA)and Sri Lanka Customs. The Customs Trade Union Alliance (CTUA), in a separate statement, said that although they are engaging in the strike from May 9, 2020, it would clear gas, fuel and medicine and perishable items, as such are identified as essential items. 

The consideration was made so that the public will not be further inconvenienced by waiting in queues to have access to such items. Exports and airport Customs would continue as usual, it added.   The SLPA-controlled terminals stopped work on May 9. However, privately-owned CICT and SAGT terminals continued operations.  However, the overall operations of the Colombo Port have also come to a standstill. Meanwhile, the shipping industry stakeholders shared that all terminals are without ships and most shipping lines have started diverting vessels to other ports, including Cochin of India operated by DP World and Tuticorin.

They cautioned that if the situation continues further, the consequences would be greater.
“When shipping lines lose credibility as an international port, they will look for other alternatives. We hope that all trade unions and political parties will understand the gravity of this situation and commence work in the Port of Colombo today,” one stakeholder said.

The stoppage of a day’s work at the Colombo Port would result in the economy losing millions of US dollars, which the country cannot afford, due to the grave shortage in foreign exchange. The Port of Colombo handles around 7.2 million TEUs, out of which 81 percent are transshipment containers.