CCC and BASL join hands to foster economic and political stability
On the invitation of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) Chairman Vish Govindasamy, Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President Saliya Pieris PC presented the BASL’s proposals to “Restore Political and Economic Stability in the Country” to representatives of the Joint Chambers of Commerce, the Organisation of Professional Associations (OPA), the Sri Lanka Medical Association and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka at the CCC premises on Friday.
Over the past several months, the BASL and the CCC have separately expressed their strong concern about the dire state of the economy. In the light of apparent apathy to these concerns the BASL and the CCC began a dialogue to explore the role professionals and the business community could play in ensuring, at first, economic stability and subsequently political stability in the country, the BASL said in a statement.
It said one the objectives of the proposals was to create a stable government with the ability to implement reforms domestically and the ability and credibility to negotiate with the Inter national Monetary Fund ( IMF), other multilateral agencies and friendly countries to help Sri Lanka get out of the economic crisis by creating political, economic and social stability.
The BASL’s key proposals include immediate introduction of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution; repealing the provisions of the 20th Amendment and restoring the 19th Amendment; strengthening the provisions of the 19th Amendment and regulating the grant of Presidential pardons by establishing a body to make recommendations to the President on the same.
The BASL also called for the abolition of the Executive Presidency as early as possible but not later than 15 months by passing an Amendment to the Constitution no later than November 30, this year.
It also wants the establishment of an interim government of national unity consisting of 15 Cabinet ministers for a maximum period of 18 months and a further six weeks as a caretaker government to oversee elections.