Sri Lankan business federation seeks President's intervention to resolve legislature and judiciary crisis

A key Sri Lankan business federation, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Industries of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) expressing serious concerns over the widening rift between the country's legislature and judiciary over the impeachment of the Chief Justice has called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa to intervene to resolve the dispute. The FCCISL issuing a statement has said that it is extremely important to understand the gravity of the crisis in all aspects and has urged the President to resolve the issue for the sake of the country. Sri Lanka is facing a grave constitutional and a legal crisis with the foundations of democracy at stake, the FCCISL said. Noting that people are sovereign and supreme according to the Constitution, the Federation pointed out that the People's executive power is exercised by democratically elected executive President, their judicial power is exercised by Courts of law and legislative power is exercised by the Parliament. The Federation said "FCCISL, looking through the magnifying glass on the future economic and business environment, in the case of deepening the issue, has serious concerns on the negative impact of the final outcome." The Federation reminded that the country "went through the darkest ever period for the last three decades and presently settling down to enjoy the peace dividends." "It is extremely important to understand the gravity of the crisis in all aspects and we urge, his Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa to resolve the issue for the sake of the country," the Federation said expressing confidence that the President will take the most appropriate decision "at this very crucial juncture, like in the past."