Protect local companies and thousands of jobs

By Indeewara Thilakarathne

We learnt that because of ongoing economic crisis, the Government is defaulting payments. Many people are complaining that their bills have not been paid. This has become a crisis situation where many companies have been pushed to the brink of bankruptcy, endangering thousands of jobs.  

In this first article, we invite all the companies which have not been paid to come up with exact figures as a part of a survey to find out how many companies have not been paid and what the projects are and what amounts they are owed. We are planning to run a campaign against the Government defaulting payments. 

However, if the Government takes steps to protect local business and their jobs and livelihood of thousands, we will, indeed, not run a campaign. We consider it is a travesty that the Government has defaulted payments and is thereby shirking its responsibility to protect local companies and their jobs. 

For instance, recently a leading construction company faced major financial issues, primarily due to the Government’s defaulting payments. This issue has also adversely affected not only construction companies but also the companies that provides supplies to the Government.

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(The writer is a Partner/Managing Director and Director, Corporate Communication, 21st Century Advocacy Ltd.)