PM questions basis for opposing yet undrafted trade agreement

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says people should have not needlessly fear the proposed trade agreement with India as it will only increase the number of job opportunities for Sri Lankans. 

“Look closely at Sri Lanka’s business history. Are there any businesses which fell apart due to foreign and local competition? Apart from a very few, there are only businesses that flourished in the face of foreign and local competition,” he said.

Delivering a special statement in Parliament regarding the Indo-Lanka Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), he said that people should not needlessly fear the agreements that the government is preparing to sign with foreign nations. 

“We are doing all this for the country. For the future of the country. We can no longer stay like frogs in a well. We have to move forward fast with the world which is traveling at a fast pace. The world should be viewed with a broad mind.”  

The PM stated that several groups are spreading incorrect opinions regarding the proposed trade agreement with Indi, which has not even been drafted yet. 

We cannot comprehend the basis for opposing an undrafted agreement which is still on a discussion level, Wickremesinghe said. 

He stated that the new agreement will only create more job opportunities for Sri Lankans, protect their job opportunities and broaden the space to achieve higher wages. 

“We will do anything unless you can get a consensus and how to approach this manner and what is the step by step measure we should take,” he added.