It disrupted my business because SLT is on lockdown. I simply improvised by getting their own people to carry out our strategies. In Dialog, as CCC chairman must be aware, Chinese employees from companies such as Huawei were restricted from entering. We were still allowed to enter premises to carry out business.
I'd say it's very minimal disruption to Sri Lanka's business environment. Although, I believe in subscribing to Lee Kuan Yew's servicing MNCs and hub based growth -- a big problem that globalised Singapore faces as a global port connecting China and the US primarily is that outbreaks like Covid 19 coronavirus harm their ops significantly.
Their PM LHL predicts a few quarters of losses. The shops in Changi have taken a hit. They've reduced the impact by subsidising and giving money to those in need. This includes paying over 3 months to taxi drivers from various companies-- especially, full time taxi drivers. I think that kind of economic empathy is welcome in Sri Lanka too, where it's needed and always welcome.
In combination with downplaying stereotyping or opportunistic xenophobia and China phobia sentiments which is obviously unbecoming of us and not helpful to our long term strategies and friendship with China -- we should get on relatively unhinged and unhindered by this Covid 19 outbreak.
Even if it becomes a pandemic, I don't think it's going to hit Sri Lanka as badly as it would hit other counties. Our people were taught to be cautious by life experiences and Sri Lanka's history, not the text book like Singapore, and so, I think as we've already taken the necessary actions to prevent further harm, we'll likely get on with business as this data has proven.
