December 9, 2015 10:01
RANIL_WICKRAMASING_2521384fPrime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today insisted that Sri Lanka will not sign the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India.
He told Parliament that the Sri Lankan Government is negotiating a new agreement on economic and technological cooperation with India.
The Prime Minister said that the Government hopes to sign a similar agreement with the Chinese Government as well.
However he said that before the agreements are reached, the Government will have talks with local trade unions on the proposals.
“There is no CEPA agreement. Some are attempting to say there is one and create instability in the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister denied claims made by the Government Medical Officer’s Association (GMOA) with regards to the proposed agreement with India.
He said the GMOA had attempted to give the impression Indians will get employment in Sri Lanka and that Sri Lankans will lose job opportunities locally.
The Prime Minister said that under the new proposed agreement with India, local youth will get more job opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Wickremesinghe also accused the GMOA of not backing the revolution in Sri Lanka which led to establishing democracy.
He also accused some members of the GMOA of backing former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. However he insisted that the Government will not allow the silent revolution to be reversed.
Opposition member Dinesh Gunawardena urged the Prime Minister to have a discussion with the opposition before the new agreement is finalised with India.
The Prime Minister agreed to the request and said he will have a meeting with the opposition before December 19 to discuss the new deal. (Colombo Gazette)
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