Exporters Association of Sri Lanka

No: 50, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka.

2019 - 2021 Outgoing Chairperson's speech

I would like to warmly welcome the Senior past chairs, as well as the committee and members of EASL who are present with us virtually at this meeting.

As you know we are now going through unusual times and circumstances and we have completed a year of great uncertainty and to add to that we also had great concerns on the status of the economy of our country. We all know that we, the exporters are recognized as the engine of growth and the EASL as the apex body representing the exporters of this country.

The office bearers together with the committee has tirelessly worked during the last year and we have comprehensively managed to overcome the various challenges during the past year. As you know it was mostly firefighting, problem solving and resolving matters. This is very unfortunate because previously we have tried to shape the economy of the country by the proposals we have given to the government in office, during the last five to six years, where we have spent a lot of money as an association in advisory capacity to shape our economy.

But unfortunately, with the setbacks we all had to face, which were not faced by anyone during the past several decades or even ever before. It was even more difficult for us to carry out business as usual and the challengers have been enormous. Most affected would be the SMEs and the smaller companies and in this scenario it was very critical that we did not simply criticize the government but took a role where we could spell out the important things that needed to be done. As you know now social media has taken it into another level. What is important is to ensure what benefits the country.

In my opinion, Sri Lanka is so capable to turn things around but the most important thing is to work to a plan. Policy makers need to listen to professionals, experts on whatever trade related matters. So that the feedback will be taken in when deciding on policy matters. But unfortunately, we see too many errors, too many reversals or bad decisions taking place over and over, during a long period of time now. Those decisions have become very costly for the state. I think the challenge is enormous for the new committee headed by the Chairman who will be elected in a short while. As you know I have completed my tenure of two years but that does not mean that we are going to wash our hands off and stay away. We are going to be supporting the incoming office bearers as well as the committee and serve in that committee. My wish is that Sri Lanka will change its thinking, that the trade will change its thinking and instead of laughing at the many memes or jokes going around about the failure of an institution or a head of state or the government, that we all unite to make things work for us. It really is not funny because in my opinion when the government fails, the country fails. So, we need to be very serious and try our level best to make sure our voice is heard and also use all possible influence for the greater good of the nation and the economy and the people of this country.

If you read through the report, you would understand the amount of time that we, the office bearers had to invest while being in office simply to get a point across, simply to trouble shoot. And there are many instances where we have got up in the morning and found out that there is a new policy that has been implemented and not even know as to who proposed it. And then we look for options to to see how best we can advise. We have managed to turn around a few things but all that is costing precious time and extra effort. So, my point is that we are in a time where we need to plan our businesses and we need to be alert because in my opinion Sri Lanka has still not lost the game. It is like our Cricket team. We are doing pretty badly. But that does not mean that we do not have the talent, that does not mean we do not have the skills, that does not mean we do not have the right people, and I hope that we make this change sooner rather than later.

We must not work to get credit for ourselves; rather work for the Association and for the benefit for our members. because if our members are successful the country will benefit. In the present-day scenario, it appears that if I manufacture my goods I cannot find a booking, and if I find a booking I cannot find a container, if I find a container I cannot find a truck, If I find a truck, I do not find space in the ship, and If I find space in the ship, I cannot find a connection and if I find a connection, I cannot find a way of clearing it. When I find a way to clearing it, I do not have space in a warehouse. This scenario more or less tells you the way in which things are happening right now. If we look back, last year, all our efforts have been streamlined to sorting issues out and getting the ball rolling. I would like to take my company, Hayleys as an example; where through clear leadership and direction given to its staff, during this pandemic we have produced extraordinary results. I can personally testify that it has been a commitment of all in difficult times, in unusual circumstances to be willing to go that extra mile to make it happen.

Sri Lanka can do that, the trade can to that, the export fraternity can do that. We need to receive that support and leadership because if not we will all fail. I am not happy to state that a Minister would fail or a Prime minister would fail or a President would fail. I am only conscious of the fact that if any of the custodians fails we are all going to fail.

I want to congratulate the new team that is going to take up office and my support continues and I want to thank everyone for your patience during the last couple of years; as you know I took up office soon after the Easter Sunday attack. we have not had a celebration for the last two years the way we used to at AGMs, but the work continued. I also want to thank you for all the support you have given and I wish EASL all the success and Sri Lanka the success that we are dreaming of.

May God Bless you all and thank you!