The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake

¶ 01 Using this opportunity, what is needed is to examine why competitiveness is necessary. With the rupee fluctuating, what has happened to input costs? There is cost-push inflation, and when it increases, every cent must be used to create a competitive environment. We have debt to repay by 2028. The Central Bank announced four years ago that we could not repay, and our country is facing a big problem. In 2028, we have to pay USD 14 billion. It is through exports that we can solve that problem. While there is an opportunity to solve it, we are still dragging our feet. That is why bringing Bills like this and legalizing them is important, and we congratulate you for doing so.

¶ 02 Now, you are amending the Licensing of Shipping Agents, Freight Forwarders, Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers, and Container Operators Act which has been in place since 1972, and its modernization is absolutely required. But, having legislation alone is not enough, because in our country, we have a five-star legal system with a one-star democracy in operation. Therefore, we must act properly.

¶ 03 So, digitalization in freight forwarding, which would have connectivity to ASYCUDA, et cetera, is absolutely essential. Therefore, modernization and digitalization are required to put Sri Lanka on the map and to help overcome the problems we have in competing with our peer countries. Then, through that, professionalism will be ensured. I think we need to establish that.