Ceylon Chamber hails passing of 21A

Premier business chamber Ceylon Chamber of Commerce yesterday welcomed the passing of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution with an overwhelming majority in parliament last week. 

“While all measures proposed by the Chamber along with other likeminded professional bodies and civil society organisations may not be addressed by this amendment, it nevertheless considers this as a step in the right direction towards strengthening governance and accountability  in the conduct of government,” a Ceylon Chamber statement said.  In particular, the Chamber welcomed the re-establishment of the Constitutional Council, Audit Services Commission and the National Procurement Commission while strengthening the independence of all other commissions to which the appointments will now be made by the Constitutional Council. 

“The consensual approach adopted by all political parties in passing this agreement resulting in 179 and 174 MPs respectively belonging to all parties voting in favour at the second and third reading of the bill augurs well when the country needs its legislators to work together in unison to implement constitutional as well as economic reforms. 

It is the fervent wish of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce that all parties will approach difficult economic reforms also in a similar manner and ensure they are implemented on time to ensure a stable and sustainable recovery from the current economic crisis,” the statement noted.