Private sector backs COVID-19 mitigation measures; makes more recommendations

The country’s private sector has commended President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for measures taken so far to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), while listing a host of new initiatives including support to resolve the crisis and stabilise the economy. 

The commendation and submission of new recommendations immediate, short and medium term were by nine chambers of commerce – The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs, The National Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka, National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka, The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries, International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka, Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka and Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka. “We strongly believe that the measures taken by the Government have and will contribute significantly to prevent the virus spreading at a much faster pace,” they said in a jointly-signed letter to President Rajapaksa on Wednesday but released to the media yesterday.

“We are cognisant, however, that in spite of the best efforts taken by the Government of Sri Lanka, the risk of further escalation remains alongside the consequential disruption to livelihoods and medium to long-term impact to the national economy. In this context we recommend that the following actions be included in the action plan of the Government of Sri Lanka going forward,” the chambers added.

Among immediate proposals were complete stoppage of foreign travel to and from Sri Lanka shutting down the airport and port for passenger travel, suspension of all non-essential businesses; support for worst affected industries such as tourism and construction and a three-month moratorium on EPF and ETF contributions. 

“It is our belief that above actions if implemented will help to arrest the rapid spread of the virus and help stabilise the economy in the coming weeks and months,” said the nine chambers of commerce. 

See Page 2 for the full statement.