Tamil diaspora responds positively to President’s investment call

30 April 2025 08:18 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 16 Bookmark

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By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama and Indika Sri Aravinda

Colombo, April 30 (Daily Mirror) - Following President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s request for Tamil people in the diaspora to invest in Sri Lanka to help the country recover from the economic crisis, Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP) Leader and Tamil Diaspora General Secretary Nimalan Vishwanathan said the diaspora is ready to invest in the country.

Addressing the media, Nimalan Vishwanathan said the President must provide clear guidelines on how investments should be brought into the country.

"The President should create a programme and guide us on how to bring our investors. Then we can help uplift the country’s economy," Vishwanathan said.

"We had the same hopes during previous governments and submitted our project proposals. For example, during the fuel crisis, we proposed to supply petrol at Rs. 240 per litre through diaspora investors. But none of the governments showed any interest or responded to our offers," he said.

Therefore, Nimalan Vishwanathan requested the President to maintain direct contact with them to help bring in investors and support the country’s economy.

"We can attract investors from countries like the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Scandinavian nations. Many of these people run their own businesses, holding around 70% ownership. It’s not difficult for them to invest 3% to 5% of their earnings in Sri Lanka," he added.

He also said there’s no need to fear the imposition of a 44% tariff on Sri Lankan exports by US President Donald Trump or the suspension of Sri Lanka’s GSP+ by the European Union.

"The diaspora community is ready to maintain the buying power for the country’s products and garments," he said.

"In the past, we had to stop our projects because some Ministers and state officials demanded commissions to approve them. That’s why we need a proper, transparent plan and direct discussions with the President," Vishwanathan explained.

"I am delivering this message to the government on behalf of the entrepreneurs who asked me to do so," he added.

Comments - 16

Adwani Wednesday, 30 April 2025 08:31 PM

But Tamil Progressive Alliance has called upon EU to impose strict condition for GSP .

0 2

VRAJ Wednesday, 30 April 2025 08:40 PM

Good, before the SL Govt must do the north and east become a jurisdiction state..

1 3

Kumara Wednesday, 30 April 2025 09:16 PM

Hope, unlike the previous administrations, AKD take up the opportunity and can authorise clear guidance acceptable to the diaspora community.

0 4

Kumara Wednesday, 30 April 2025 09:16 PM

Hope, unlike the previous administrations, AKD take up the opportunity and can authorise clear guidance acceptable to the diaspora community.

0 1

Pusa Wednesday, 30 April 2025 10:45 PM

You are a donkey to invest in Sri Lanka !

3 6

Oberver Thursday, 01 May 2025 11:53 AM

I was a donkey. Tried to do it couple of times in vain. Today I am gaining what I invested into in Singapore and Hanoi. Still to mention, present govt could make a change!!

0 4

Islander Thursday, 01 May 2025 04:19 AM

There is no need to do extra work to bring in the diaspora participation. What is required to is to remove the imprint of 1956-2024 treatment of the indigenous Ceylon Tamil community by the ethnic majority community that resulted to the extent of decades old war. The president has opened a new welcome chapter. But a long way to go. All deficiencies should be rectified to open new beginning.

1 3

S P Thursday, 01 May 2025 04:57 AM

People make investments only when they can get positive returns. Just to satisfy a political group no sane person will put their hard earned money on risky business. So the best way to attract more investments is to make the process simple, fast, corruption free and with investment friendly policy changes. They may espouse their political views strongly but to put their hard earned on them , they need more than that e.g. a positive, friendly and clever government policies.

0 2

Mahila Thursday, 01 May 2025 12:17 PM

S. P., Fully agree with you about workable projects with adequate return on Investments is very important!!?? More than that, TRUST is very Important when making investments of Hard-earned Money??? None in this world want to lose that "Pot of Gold"?? Say this with full responsibility, because stories are plenty of misadventure - for example the Australian Investor who made an investment on Scrap Metal and after some time he was frightened with arrests for political reason and gave Power of Attorney to a Panchika Watte Motor Trader turned Politico and caught flight to Australia “to save his skin and life” and he lost the entire investment!!?? That's reality in Sri Lanka!? Therefore, Trust is paramount in Sri Lanka, because for the slightest thing the manipulators would change course, and everything goes up in ‘SMOKE’

0 3

Ram P Thursday, 01 May 2025 05:36 AM

Golden opportunity that must not be missed. As requested proper plans must be drawn with tax involvements etc. These can be BOI projects provided the BOI Board consist of honourable people. BOI

1 0

Amaran Thursday, 01 May 2025 05:51 AM

this statement of ""The diaspora community is ready to maintain the buying power for the country’s products and garments," is very vague. THESE DIASPORA THINK THEY ARE CONTROLLING THE FOREIGN MARKETS. STUPID

3 4

Dr Tissa Fernando Thursday, 01 May 2025 06:31 AM

It is becoming clear that the same diaspora who funded LTTE terrorists have fundec The No Plan Pacha Party and in return No Plan Pacha Party is planning to sell them national assets at a discount.

6 4

THE TRUTH Thursday, 01 May 2025 07:55 AM

Columbo, government could t make safe law and order in Western Province. How can they make safe law and order in northeast province. the police and politician set on fire Jaffna library. in 1976 in the north SL.

0 3

Me too Thursday, 01 May 2025 09:15 AM

He has no other choice as he is alleged to have given many promises in return for their political and financial support during the presidential and parliamentary elections.

3 0

Mahila Thursday, 01 May 2025 12:20 PM

Excreta from Bulls lacking positive thinking!!??

0 1

Ck Thursday, 01 May 2025 12:15 PM

Don't be the Diaspora, come back home and help to rebuild OUR country

0 0

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