1. Member - Business for Peace Alliance Director General Hambantota District Chamber of Commerce Investing in Peace Private Sector Initiatives The Sri Lankan Experience Presented by Azmi Thassim

2. Sri Lanka Area: 65,610 sq km Population 19 Million Urban 21% (4M) Rural 79% (15M) Ethnic groups Sinhalese 74%, Tamil 18%, Muslim 7%, Others 1% Religions Buddhist 70%, Hindu 15%, Christian 8%, Islam 7%

3. Independence from British colonial rule in 1948 Religious and ethnic unity as one nation during collective struggle for independence Regular feature of political life since: the struggle between the majority Sinhala -speaking Buddhists and minority Tamils Ethnic Conflict - Sri Lanka

4. Due to the lack of consideration given by rulers of the country this tensions between the Sinhalese and Tamil erupted into war in 1983. Ethnic Conflict - Sri Lanka  Tens of thousands have died.  Hundreds of thousands of refugees are displaced  Huge cost spent on military expenses.  Growth of the economy deteriorated  Civil Unrest emerged  Long term plans failed

5. “After two decades of fighting, the Government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) formalized a cease-fire in February 2002, with Norway brokering peace negotiations” Ethnic Conflict - Sri Lanka

6. Business for Peace Alliance in Sri Lanka In 2002, the Regional Business Community of Sri Lanka formed the Business for Peace Alliance (BPA). Goal of this gathering was to ‘identify what business can do for peace and what peace can do for business’.

7. To generate peace dividends at the local level; To strengthen provincial and inter-provincial economic activity through chambers and other business associations; To lobby national-level policymakers on key issues affecting peace and stability; To practice CSR principles in all BPA programmes and activities. Business for Peace Alliance in Sri Lanka Main objectives

8. Non-political and non-partisan; Island-wide, province- and district-based; Committed to fostering links between business and peace; Participants are representative of their chambers or other business associations Business for Peace Alliance in Sri Lanka Unique Features of BPA

9. Business for Peace Alliance in Sri Lanka Need for Regional Involvement- Experience of BPA Huge disparities between capital city & Regions oPoverty - Headcount ratio Colombo 6: Regions 20-37 oUnemployment oPoor Infrastructure oPoor Basic Facilities

10. Lack of consultation at regional level when formulating strategic plans for the country Need for Regional Involvement- Experience of BPA Expected Situation Actual situation Identify the needs of the community Preparation of an Integrated Plan Proper Implementation with Participatory approach Targeted Results No Consultation with Local Community Ineffective Plans not Addressing Real needs Lack of Participation of Local Community Failure

11. Lack of professionalism and potential for development for the regional business community Need for Regional Involvement- Experiences of BPA Working for politicians “Going it Alone” Not Joining with Chambers Businessman Avoiding Taxes Lack of Best Practices Traditional Thinking Poor Quality Products No Power to Lobby No Markets for Products Low prices & Profits Low Standards & Low Recognition

12. Recovering from Tsunami Devastation Need for Regional Involvement- Experience of BPA Sri Lanka – The second hardest hit country by tsunami waves

13. Nearly 35,000 dead More than 7000 missing Thousands of people injured One million displaced Recovering from Tsunami Devastation

14. 16 meetings Business exchange visits & Peace visits Island-wide directory of regional businesses Business for Peace Alliance in Sri Lanka Achievements of BPA

15. Organizing Domestic Investor Dialog with policy makers Organizing capacity improvement training programmes for the local level business community Tsunami assistance programme Business for Peace Alliance in Sri Lanka Achievements of BPA

16.  Recognized by the Government  Continuously supported by the donor agencies  Accepted by the Business Community  Acknowledged by General Public Business for Peace Alliance in Sri Lanka Today……….

17. Formalization of the BPA Capacity Building of Members Working together with other parties towards Peace Building and National Economic Development Business for Peace Alliance in Sri Lanka Way forward….. “Building Peace and Reconciliation through the Business Community”

18. Thank You!