Opposition parties and sections of professional organisations in Sri Lanka have kicked up a storm over the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement between India and the island nation.

Calling the pact a fresh variant of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aborted earlier, the Joint Opposition said the deal had to be abandoned due to “lack of public support.” The Joint Opposition is a coalition of seven parties and groups owing allegiance to former President Mahinda Rajapakasa.

Professional bodies representing doctors, engineers and lawyers came under the banner of the United Professionals Movement (UPM) and took out a rally against the proposed agreement a few weeks back. Critics of the deal have said the agreement would pave the way for Indian professionals and semi-skilled and unskilled persons to “flood” the Sri Lanka’s labour market.

‘A national policy’

“Besides, we want a national policy on international trade agreements and there has to be consistency on the part of the government on issues such as opening up of the service sector” said H.M.N.P. Herath, Secretary of the Government Medical Officers’ Association, a key constituent of the UPM.

The Joint Opposition in a release contended that the existing Free Trade Agreement with India had not benefitted Sri Lanka to the extent it should have. While it also stood for “more trade with India,” the group called for the removal of “bureaucratic blocks and complications” that prevented the growth of Sri Lankan exports.

(The Hindu)