Open Lankan market to foreign investors – Marikkar

Like other countries in the world, we should open the Sri Lankan market to foreign investors as the competition would benefit consumers, said Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Media Spokesman and Deputy National Organizer S.M. Marikkar, MP.

“We cannot maintain the island mentality any longer. This is our country and we have been saying that we must develop the country in the way we want but we have not progressed so far,” the MP said.

He expressed these views at a press conference held at the Opposition Leader’s office Tuesday (28) in response to a question asked by a journalist regarding the problem of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).

The MP accused the CPC employees of not working sufficiently for their salary.

“Today the world is open. Consumers benefit when market competition increases. Currently, there is the LIOC and with the addition of three other companies, the market will be more competitive. We agree with that.

Workers at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation just get paid. A driver earns a salary of more than Rs.100,000.

They take everything including overtime. We must understand that this situation needs to be changed,” MP Marikkar said.

The MP further said that the CPC employees were not corrupt, but the administration is.

“Employees cause waste and both should be controlled. I say this not because I am stealthily supporting the Government and the President. Whoever implements the economic policy we believe in, we support it.”