A tense situation unfolded near the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (07) morning as a group of businessmen staged a protest, demanding greater relief for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The demonstration, which started from Colombo Fort, focused on concerns related to the local coconut oil industry and sought an audience with the President to discuss possible solutions.
As tensions escalated, police intervened and allowed five representatives from the business community to enter the Presidential Secretariat for discussions. However, following the meeting, Sri Lanka Construction Association Chairman Susantha Liyana Arachchi expressed frustration over the response they received.
“A group of people who have never attended protests felt compelled to come today. The Central Bank Governor, who operates above the President’s orders, has no understanding of our problems. During the discussion, a presidential advisor named Gamage told us that meeting the President was pointless and instead suggested we go and surround the Central Bank. Is this how bureaucratic issues are handled?” Arachchi remarked after exiting the meeting.
Following this unexpected suggestion, some of the protestors attempted to move toward the Central Bank premises, triggering another heated confrontation. The police and riot control units were deployed to disperse the demonstrators, preventing them from entering the area.
The incident has raised concerns over the government’s handling of economic grievances, with critics questioning whether bureaucratic inefficiencies and policy mismanagement are worsening the struggles faced by Sri Lanka’s business community.
