MDCCIA and FCCISL on inclusive chamber movement

Matale Municipal Council Mayor Daljith Aluvihare addresses the gathering 

Matale District Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (MDCCIA), a member of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) recently formed its women’s wing at a function held in Matale under the guidance of FCCISL, followed by a special session for developing business personality and branding for businessmen and businesswomen. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Guest Matale Mayor Daljith Aluvihare told the gathering that a stronger and collective business voice is always welcome by the Government, and it is the Government’s duty to create a conducive environment for businesses to flourish. “As a person who was born and bred in Matale, I understand the necessity to help tea, spices and other industries and especially SMEs in the district of Matale. It is business that creates wealth for the nation, therefore it is important that we develop our country using our resources to the maximum, and in this process a constructive dialogue with our stakeholders such as business people and entrepreneurs is a must. That is why the Matale Municipal Council under my stewardship approved a space within the Municipal Council for MDCCIA to set up its office to carry out its activities. We have also understood that security is a prime factor for businesses to grow, and Matale Municipal Council provided street lamps within municipal limits, enabling traders and merchants to do longer business hours in the town.” 

He also plans to set up a CCTV camera system to town limits in Matale, which is to be partly financed by MDCCIA in the future.

He also said that for any country to develop, the most important factor is discipline and discipline should come from the top to bottom. “That is the lesson we learned from a country like Singapore.

Sri Lanka should pay more focus on gender issues such as lack of women’s participation in economic development, and I am very happy to hear that today, MDCCIA took another step to establish the women’s wing under MDCCIA, and I see this as the first step towards catering to many women in the Matale district who want to start up businesses or guidance to expand their businesses.” 

Speaking on the economy in the country, he said “Today, Sri Lanka is in debt due to massive loans taken by Governments then and now, and the repayment is a huge burden on Sri Lankan taxpayers. Even though in the recent past, Sri Lanka showed a moderate growth in exports, it alone is not sufficient to pay back our dues. Therefore, the international support from funding agencies is solicited by all the successive Governments. On the other hand, Sri Lanka needs to balance its international relations due to its strategic location in the India Ocean and superpowers such as India, China and USA keeping watchful eyes on us. Therefore, any leader wishing to rule Sri Lanka successfully needs to balance all these factors and cooperate with all countries on the international theatre. I am talking at a time when the whole country is preparing for a decisive election, and of course, Sri Lanka needs a new leader and a new vision to instil discipline to the country’s political, economic and social structure. At this hour of time, the need of Sri Lanka is a young, visionary, and energetic leader with a Sri Lankan touch,” he concluded.  MDCCIA President K N Mahendra, Institute of Growth Concepts CEO Sanath Vidanagamage, and FCCISL Secretary General/CEO Ajith D Perera also spoke.