Leading Business chambers request to call off mass protests planned for today

• Say protests at this juncture could undermine efforts being taken to resolve current economic crisis
• Point out negative publicity arising from protests would derail efforts being taken to promote tourism
• Say instability can affect recovery process for exports and foreign investment too
• Appeal to all parties to divert their energies and resources towards encouraging positive reforms

Several business chambers, including the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in a joint statement yesterday expressed concerns about the move by some organisations—political parties, trade unions and civil organisations—to call for mass protests today (Nov. 2)

“While recognising their freedom of speech and right to express views, the chambers request all parties to call off protests of this nature that could undermine the efforts being taken to resolve the current economic crisis with the support of the international community,” they said in a statement.

“Any act of destabilisation taking place at this time and any negative publicity arising from it would seriously derail actions that are being taken to revive the economy including the efforts being taken to promote tourism,” it added.
The statement also pointed out that a few airlines have agreed to resume flights to Sri Lanka and given the high cost of energy in Europe during the winter, Sri Lanka will have an ideal opportunity to attract tourists which will support the hospitality industry that has been badly affected since the Easter Sunday attacks.
In addition, any instability can affect the recovery process for exports and foreign investment too, the statement noted.

“We appeal to all parties to divert their energies and resources towards encouraging positive reforms and focus on how we recover as a nation instead of engaging in acts that can further damage the economy and place more burdens on the people of this country,” the statement said.

This statement has been issued by the following chambers: Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Chamber of Young Lanka Entrepreneurs (COYLE), Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL), National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) and Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC).
The same business chambers however backed the mass protests that ousted former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government several months ago.