Strategic importance the main factor when restructuring SOEs: SJB MP

• Loss or profit should not be the main factor when deciding on restructuring state owned enterprises

By Yohan Perera   

The main factor that has to be considered when restructuring state owned enterprises is the strategic importance not the profit or loss, an SJB MP said yesterday.   

SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne told a media briefing that loss or profit should not be the main factor when deciding on restructuring state owned enterprises. “Some say that profit making enterprises should not be restructured and should not be handed over to the private sector. However what we believe is that strategic importance should be the main factor when deciding on restructuring. Therefore we believe that Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) should be owned by the state,” the MP said.   

“ Some say that Srilankan Catering and Ground handling should be separated when restructuring the national carrier Srilankan Airlines. However what we believe is that the enterprise should be taken as a whole,” he added.   

the MP while sounding alarms on the killing of businessman Dinesh Schaffter and the assault on an owner of a apparel factory in Katana,said such incidents will result in foreign investors losing confidence on Sri Lanka. Further he said Nestle Lanka has decided to exit the Colombo Share Market following the remark made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe that the government will close down the share market if needed.