Industry slams flawed policymaking jeopardises trade and port competitiveness

Aramex Country Manager Sanjay Samarasinghe says politicians lack technical expertise and rely on rich advisers

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• Claims decisions dominated by big business interests, not fair trade

• Says ports risk losing traffic to India's SagarMala project, with Colombo Port throughput down 30% in just five months

• Warns on higher shipping costs for exporters

• Notes Sri Lankans helped build global ports like Singapore and Jebel Ali Port, but failed to fix their own

INDUSTRY stakeholders yesterday raised concerns over what they describe as a flawed and politically influenced policymaking process that fails to serve the interests of fair trade and efficient logistics.

Speaking to the media, Aramex Country Manager Sanjay Samarasinghe criticised the fragmented policymaking process, where decisions are often left to political appointees with little technical knowledge and powerful business lobbies with vested interests.