Sri Lanka will not be discussing a trade agreement with India entitled CEPA during a visit to India tomorrow, said the Sri Lankan minister for development strategies and international trade, Malik Samarawickrama on Sunday.
Mr Samarawickrama, who is travelling to New Delhi tomorrow, rejected reports that his government would be signing the agreement with India.
"The present government would not allow any international agreement to fill the pockets of politicians instead of the benefits trickling down to the people," Mr Samarawickrama was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying.
However, the deputy minister for foreign affairs, Harsha De Silva meanwhile told Sri Lanka's Sunday Times newspaper that discussions on bilateral trade agreements would take place.
“We must push for such agreements with countries like India. However, we must not blindly enter into such agreements. We must study in detail our own experiences and that of other similar countries to negotiate the best deal for us. Any bilateral or multilateral trade agreement that benefits Sri Lanka must be pursued,” Mr Silva was quoted as saying.
A number of Sinhala politicians and groups have raised concerns about the CEPA agreement.
Related articles:
CEPA may give Indians opportunity to move to Sri Lanka – Wimal Weerawansa (11 Sep 2015)
Maubima Lanka Foundation challenges Ranil on CEPA (10 Aug 2015)
Sri Lanka’s Indophobia (07 Aug 2015)
Sri Lankan President says he deliberately dodged CEPA talks with India (03 Mar 2015)
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