The issue has become more pressing after the LTTE inflicted serious defeats on the Sri Lankan army last month. Last year the UNP refused to respond to the appeals of big business. It has failed to listen to the voice of its own patrons that all major parties in the island should get together to overcome this impasse. But the UNP and Wickremesinghe have since changed their tune as big business has become more insistent. I will not crawl on my belly but go down on my knees to ask God to fill Prabhakaran's heart with love.
Big business is deeply concerned about the impact of the war on profits and investment.
The stock market, which stood at 927 points when the PA government came to power, is now at just over 560 points. The share value of Kotelawela's own Seylan Bank, has declined from 140 to 14.10 rupees over the six years. The country's foreign reserves have sunk to five months' supply of imports, while 25 percent of the government budget is spent on the military and 31 percent on servicing the state debt. Such a power-sharing arrangement would divide the working class on ethnic lines and pave the way for the intensified exploitation of workers by local and foreign capital. While parading as a peace candidate, Wickremesinghe is intent on strengthening the state apparatus.