JVP meets business community with Accord of the Conscience

Anura Kumara Dissanayake

When the JVP met representatives of the private sector as a prelude to introducing their manifesto, ‘The Accord of the Conscience’, it was more than a mere meeting. It was an occasion that brought together two key stakeholders in a unique gesture of mutual acknowledgment and respect.

With a knack for calling a political bluff and a gift for the art of communicating his point in such a way that he connects his party to people across all levels, Anura Kumara Dissanayake is widely perceived as not just the leader of the JVP but a much needed presence in the colourful world of politics. 

He is the astute politician whose hand it seems everybody wants to shake. This is almost always due to their recognition of his unique style of speaking straight from the heart, going after issues of corruption, abuse of power and hidden political agendas.

At the meeting with the business community held at the Grand Oriental Hotel, Anura Kumara held the audience captive with his take on the views of the JVP in the minds of the business community. 

“Some may have entertained unfounded fears about us,” he said. “Those fears were based on assuming if one owns two vehicles, we will take one by force and give it to someone else. That’s not how we work – we understand the pulse of Sri Lankans and the Sri Lankan business community. We are attuned to their needs. We want to see Sri Lanka emerge as a country which people are happy to live in.”

He went on to explain the effect the previous regime had had on the country’s economy. Displaying his grasp of the ills afflicting the economy, the JVP leader highlighted the manner in which the country had haphazardly asked for loans, sacrificing long-term goals for short-term gratification. “From the newborn to the dying elder, each and every Sri Lankan today owes a staggering debt of Rs. 350,000 per person,” he pointed out.

“Many projects have been approved without due diligence. For an example, just one such project, the Katunayake Highway, has been constructed outside all norms of Government tender procedure, resulting in a staggering loss of Rs. 170 million for the country,” he stated.

“In a fast-growing world economy, we cannot afford to be isolated from the international community. The world is connected and technology has opened many doors. A long time ago, we exported tea, rubber and coconuts. Today, those dynamics have changed. We no longer have enough coconuts even for our own consumption. What is our strength? What are we known for? Korea and China produce electronics, Italy is renowned for leatherwear, Australia and Denmark for dairy products and meat but what is Sri Lanka going to be known for and how can we get a slice of the global market? In 1978, we had 0.5 % of the global market. Today, it is 0.045%, reflecting how far we have fallen. We need to understand how the world markets have changed and respond accordingly.”

In displaying a fine grasp of market dynamics, Dissanayake outlined some of the problems facing the Sri Lankan economy and how they affected the lives of the populace. 

He cited the example of fruits and vegetables from the harvesting stage to their transport and eventual sale. 

“Potatoes imported from India are cheaper in the market than those grown here. Our production costs are higher and not competitive. In India, the potato harvest ratio is at 1:21 while ours is at 1:8. Japan produces three times the rice we produce in the North Central Province. We need to focus on increasing our harvesting capabilities and reducing our production costs.

“Look at how apples are exported from Australia to the rest of the world – they are encased in protective mesh and transported in packs. Our vegetables and fruits are still transported in the same old manner; from the cultivator to the market, they are loaded onto lorries and packed, resulting in greater wastage. We need to involve the private sector in investing in key areas such as production, storage, transport and the efficient management of the entire cycle,” he opined.

Dissanayake said that Sri Lankans were talented and capable of working anywhere in the world, particularly in the services sector. “We are rich in human resources and the services sectors can be developed in the right way. The JVP has a plan for harnessing the economy and the development of our people, empowering all stakeholders,” he pointed out.

Dissanayake then revealed his party’s message to the business community: “We are not businesspeople, we are politicians. That’s what we do best. We want you to excel in your business and thereby empower the economy and the country. We are not in politics to make money or do business. That’s your job. Our invitation is for you to join hands with us in making a difference.”