FAQs

1. What is the Business for Peace Alliance?

The Business for Peace Alliance or “BPA” as it is popularly known is a network of regional business chambers

throughout Sri Lanka. BPA’s current membership stands at 26 chambers that bring together approximately

15,000 Small and Medium Enterprises - SME’s .

BPA is a strong advocate of social inclusion and supports member chambers to have a balance in representation

of all business groups in the regions including youth, women, ethnic minorities, the differently-abled,

representatives of small traders associations, various business sectors, and business’ operating from remote

areas etc.

2. What is BPA’s mandate?

BPA is committed towards regional empowerment, national unity and implementation of Corporate Social

Responsibility-CSR at regional level in a context sensitive manner.

3. When was BPA started?

BPA was started as a regional chamber network in 2002 and operated informally for 4 years. The success of this

network led to it’s institutionalization in September 2006 and setting up of a Secretariat in Colombo. The BPA

network now consists of regional business chambers representing every Province in Sri Lanka, including women’

s chambers.

4. Why was BPA formed?

BPA was started at the time the Cease Fire Agreement was signed in 2002 and there was a sense of euphoria

that peace and normalcy would be heralded into the country. The regional business community saw an

opportunity to penetrate new markets between the North and the South which had been closed over the years

of conflict. New markets within the country were an attractive option.

The regional business community which had been functioning in isolation in their own areas also realized that

they had much in common with their counterparts in other regions. There was much to learn and share amongst

one another. Hence there was a need to establish a common platform and develop a common voice for the

regions.

The regions also realized that there was a need to adopt a “bottom up approach” to regional development. The

traditional Colombo centric approach where decisions on issues affecting the regions were made by policy

makers based in Colombo had not proved to be successful. Therefore through BPA the regional business

community saw an avenue to get actively involved in a participatory process of decision making on matters

concerning the regions and being engaged in participatory development.

5. Who owns and manages BPA?

BPA is owned exclusively by the regional chambers themselves and all policy decisions are taken by the Board of

Directors who are all regional business leaders representing respective regional chambers of commerce. Since

our membership is so vast and scattered throughout the country, for operational purposes, the chambers have

appointed three representatives each to BPA. The Board of Directors which

comprises of

members

and the

Past Chairman as an honorary member, is made up of BPA representatives

from every member district

The Board meets regularly once a month and minutes are recorded by the Company Secretary and available for

perusal in the Secretariat.

To ensure a strong and efficient governance structure, there are several sub committees made up of Board

members and external experts that are responsible for overlooking specific areas.

Currently there are 4 sub committees. Namely Finance and Audit, Enterprise Development, Board Development

and a CSR Project subcommittee labeled “Learn and lead”.

6. What is the role of the Secretariat?

The Secretariat is BPA’s focal point and co-ordinates it’s activities island-wide. We have a small but highly

dedicated and professional staff and two international experts who are volunteers and serve in the capacity of

Advisors. They come through Voluntary Services Overseas., VSO.

The Secretariat is managed by the Secretary General and features thre

e departments: Programs, Communication

and Media, and Finance, Human Resources and Administration. The Core staff are based in the BPA Secretariat

in Colombo and project based staff operate from the regions.

We are developing strong management, finance, and administration systems as well as monitoring and

evaluation systems. We strive to adhere to high standards of professionalism keeping with international norms

and maintain high standards of transparency and accountability. Our aim is to be a “transparent and good

governance” model for the business community and the chambers as well.

The Secretariat is responsible to the Board of Directors, member chambers, donors, partners and stake holders.

All finances are subject to annual audit and our annual report and accounts are regularly published adhering to

Sri Lanka Companies’ Act No.7 of 2007.

7. Is BPA a Non Governmental Organization?

Our membership is made up exclusively of representatives from the business community and business people do

not belong to the NGO category in society. BPA is registered as a “Not for profit” company under the

companies Act of Sri Lanka and are liable to the Registrar of Companies.

8. What is BPA’s stance on the current military strategy for solving the conflict?

The Business community has a vested interest in fostering peace and stability in the regions and amongst the

regions. When there is violence and an unstable environment, there are curfews, burning of shops, and the

business community is badly affected. We support the Government in it’s efforts to bring back peace and

stability to Sri Lanka. Together with military victory, we also believe that there should be a negotiated political

solution and rapid regional development throughout Sri Lanka in order to strengthen and sustain the peace

process.

We believe strongly in supporting the Government through our “bottom up approach” for socio economic

development in the regions. Through trade and business linkages developed by BPA we are fostering better

understanding and goodwill amongst the people of all communities, religions, classes etc and breaking many

social and geographical divides.

9. Is BPA linked to any groups, organizations or political parties?

We proudly safeguard our regional identity and independence. However we do not function in isolation. We

adopt a non-political bi-partisan approach. However, we strengthen the efforts of whatever political party and

the Government in power, for socio-economic development, national unity and maintenance of peace in the

regions. We are strongly committed to multi-stake holder partnerships, with the Government, other political

parties, Colombo based big business and chamber movements, and civil society. We are also collaborating with

the Sri Lankan diaspora domiciled overseas in regional investment and development partnership programs.

10. Is BPA competing with or duplicating the work of other chamber movements?

We believe in working in collaboration with

the

Colombo based chamber movements and complementing their

activities in the regions. We

not in

end to

compete with anyone

or duplicate activities

On the contrary, we

want to complement activities and prevent duplication.

We have a unique niche and

mandate. Since our

ownership is regional

, we are a common platform for the regions. There are many

common problems and issues

faced by the regions and the regional business community

and we

aspire to

communicate

the collective voice

of the regions. We bring to stakeholders in Colombo the regional concerns and we lobby

with decision makers

for regional aspirations and needs. We also disseminate from the capital

information

relevant to the regions.

We are also well geared to support stakeholders in Colombo in implementing projects in

the regions using a

“bottom up” approach

catering to the real needs and social concerns of the regions.

11. How is BPA funded?

Through membership fees paid by the regional chambers, through personal contributions in finance and kind by

members and through funds from local and international partners who join hands with us to implement programs

in the regions. We are also implementing specific funded programs in collaboration with the Government of Sri

Lanka.

12. What is the contribution by the regional business community?

The regional business community, who are usually SME’s, are grappling with myriad economic and financial

problems in the context of the current economic climate in Sri Lanka and the world. They are also committed to

helping their communities. Philanthropy by businessmen and traders in the regions in Sri Lanka is age old.

Whenever there is a funeral, wedding, school or religious event or a natural disaster in the regions, the business

community rises to the occasion.

In the implementation of regional chamber activities too the business community contribute as much as they

can financially and through kind.

Apart from contributing to BPA activities with funds, the regional business community contribute a great deal

of time to BPA activities in their own regions and also in other regions. Since most of the BPA participants are

SMEs and sole proprietors, there is a huge opportunity cost for them to sacrifice time from their business

activities to community development work. The regional participants also contribute through kind for example

by hosting BPA delegates in their homes, providing refreshments for events and providing transport for BPA

programs with their own vehicles.

Regional chamber members contribute to BPA with limited funds, support in kind and put in their time and

energy as there is a strong feeling of ownership in BPA amongst the regional chambers. Therefore, we consider

any time allocated by them for the BPA as a very valuable contribution.

13. Is there a role for BPA once peace is restored?

We feel our role will be even greater to stabilize peace and develop the economy. There are huge challenges

related to post conflict transformation. BPA’s “bottom up approach” is important in this context. The regional

community must be actively involved in regional development. Business leaders in the regions are important

opinion leaders and contributors to the development of the regional economy. We are gearing ourselves for a

greater role, strengthening relationships via business among fragmented groups, enhancing the skills of the

regional business community in lobbying, advocacy, communication and regional development. We are also

enhancing the knowledge of the regional business leaders on socio political issues that are critical for sustaining

peace.

14. How should BPA be sustained and developed to play it’s role effectively and efficiently

in the future?

BPA is inspired by the role played by the business communities in resolving conflicts in South Africa, Ireland and

very recently in Nepal. The challenges that we have to face to develop our country are myriad. Our potential

and capacity is vast. To meet the costs of regional development projects, we envisage the establishment of a

Business Trust, like the South African Business Trust. This will bring together a pool of resources from Big

Colombo based business, Sri Lankan diaspora domiciled overseas and the SME’s in the regions. The program

should be supported by the Government and international community and managed with a “bottom up

approach” to develop the regions and bring peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka and a better tomorrow for the

future generations.

15. How can you participate in BPA activities?

Contribute financially towards our activities through a monthly/annual pledge or a one off
donation/endowment.

Share your professional expertise: Join the BPA Secretariat as a volunteer.

Join/Lead a BPA Committee or Focus Group as a volunteer attached to:

                    1.       Enterprise & Investment Promotion Committee
                         2.        Human Resource (Staff) Development Committee
                         3.        Media & Communication Advisory Committee
                         4.        Voice of Regions Magazine Development Committee
                         5.        Event Management Committee
                         6.        Fund Raising and Proposal Development Committee
                         7.        Big Business Working Group
                         8.        Youth Working Group
                         9.        Women's Working Group
                       10.        Diaspora Working Group
                       11.        Enterprise Development & Management Services Group
                       12.        English & IT Development Services Group

Join the BPA family as a volunteer attached to a member chamber in a region.

Provide services such as training for staff and regional members on a voluntary basis.

Support to design and print promotional material.

Provide transport and accommodation on a voluntary basis.

Use BPA as a vehicle to implement your development or CSR projects in the regions.

Use BPA networks to mobilize community support for your projects in the regions.

Use BPA resources for research, and to find out the real ground situation in the regions.

Become a mentor of the BPA or a regional chamber by providing expertise in areas such as capacity
building - management, finance, marketing etc.

Adopt a regional chamber and take over the challenge of partnering with the regional business
community to develop a productive and sustainable model for regional chambers.

Partner with a regional entrepreneur through "BizPAct".

Be a sponsor for a "Learn and Lead" scholar.

Be a guardian for a "Learn and Lead" scholar.

Be a sponsor for a "Learn and Lead" youth development program in the regions.

Partner with us to restore livelihoods for the internally displaced persons of our country.

Partner with us to re-integrate ex-combatants in to society thru entrepreneurship development programs.

For further information and an application to participate in one or more of the above areas, please contact

The

Chairman, Mr. Suresh deMel,

sureshdemel@bpa-srilanka.com

or The Secretary General/CEO, Mrs. Manique

Mendis,

manique.mendis@bpa-srilanka.com

"Find purpose,
the means will follow."

Mahatma Gandhi

Frequently Asked Questions

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