P-TOMS, positive step towards long lasting peace - business community

Leading business chambers and associations said that the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure (P-TOMS) signed between the Government and the LTTE last week is a positive gesture towards resolving the ethnic problem of the country which has affected the country's development for over two decades.

SriLankaFirst together with the Business for Peace Alliance (BPA) last week expressed its support for P-TOMS as it envisions a fair and equitable mechanism for the disbursement of much needed Post-Tsunami aid pledged by donors for the North and East regions.

"The fair and equitable distribution of aid can only be made possible through an inclusive mechanism such as the Tsunami Relief Board which is represented by all parties in these areas. Sri LankaFirst and the BPA believe that the proposed structure would fast track the reconstruction and rebuilding of the devastated areas. An inclusive administrative arrangement that brings all the parties together in a united effort can only strengthen the peace process. The Business Collective and the BPA call upon the government to implement the Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure without delay," a SriLankaFirst press release said. The Joint Business Forum (JBIZ) also commended the Government and LTTE's joining together for post-tsunami reconstruction.

JBIZ which represents nine chambers of commerce, trade associations and employers' organisation said in a recent statement that the implementation of P-TOMS would create a conducive environment for the resumption of peace talks and to work with the international community to develop the country. JBIZ said that it strongly believed that immediate resumption of peace talks is a must and all the political parties should get together towards achieving this objective. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said that the P-TOMS is a progressive step towards peace and that there is no need to fear that it will divide the country into separate states. The Chamber in a statement said that the P-TOMS will only build the confidence amongst the minority groups that the Government is prepared to accommodate their concerns and aspirations.