Trade minister says no to CEPA
September 13, 2015 05:26 pm
Sri Lanka will not be discussing a trade agreement with India entitled Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during a visit to India tomorrow, said the Minister for Development Strategies and International Trade, Malik Samarawickrama on Sunday.
Samarawickrama, who is travelling to New Delhi tomorrow, rejected reports that his government would be signing the agreement with India.
“The government would never permit any international agreement for the benefit of the politicians,” Samarawickrama said in a statement.
Making his first overseas visit to India after assuming office last month, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will leave for New Delhi tomorrow. Wickremesinghe is expected to meet with Indian leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his three-day visit from September 14 to 16.
