Sri Lanka, July 24 -- By Jekhan Aruliah

The Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yarlparnam, CCIY, was born in the short period of optimism in 2019. When the Sri Lankan Civil War, at that time already aflame for 16 years, seemed to be heading toward a settlement. Opposing sides were sitting at the same negotiating table. That optimism was dashed with the war continuing for another 20 years, ending only in 2009. During the war the Northern economy was based on the public sector (schools, post offices, bureaucrats and the like), and on traders (bringing in goods like kerosene, powdered milk etc and selling for profit). And on farmers and fishermen where they could be left without military interruption for a full season. Though the economy...