NO TALKS ON ETCA, TILL THE FORMATION OF A NATIONAL POLICY
Posted on April 27th, 2017
Professional’s National Front
According to the recent press reports, PM Ranil Wickremasinge visited India in order to meet his Indian counterpart, Modi, and to give the final consent on several issues of critical importance to Sri Lanka. Among such issues, one is the ETCA agreement. Throughout the recent past, Professionals National Front (PNF), a collection of leading professional bodies, has paid our close attention on this matter. Necessary steps were taken to acknowledge the general public, on its negative impacts. This was specially so in the absence of any national policy regarding the international trade and trade agreements, established through the parliament and portraying the national interests.
Before reaching any trade agreement with other countries, or even before initiating any discussion on such agreement, it is imperative to have such national policy. As a result of continuous pressure by PNF and by some other organizations, the President Hon. Maitreepala Sirisena agreed to appoint a commission, which is responsible to the public, to formulate a National Policy on the International Trade and Trade Agreements and issue the relevant gazette notification on that appointment. Hon. Malik Samarawickrama, the Minister on Development Strategies and International Trade, has been duly instructed by the president with respect to this gazette notification. In the meantime, the President Hon. Maitreepala Sirisena promised not to sign either ETCA or any other agreement on trade or/and services, until the formulation of National Policy on the International Trade and Trade Agreements. However, the issuance of this gazette notification has been continuously delayed and no actions have been taken whatsoever to appoint the said commission.
In the gross negligence by the government on the matter, a public commission for the purpose of formulating of National Policy on the International Trade and Trade Agreements has been formed by the involvement of PNF, in the last March. This was consisting of the scholars and professionals of highest caliber, an attempt even any government would not be successful at. The commission has initiated the summons at the beginning of April and various parties representing the religious dignitaries, scholars, professionals, organizations and politicians from government and from opposition have made their presentations so far. The proceedings are continuing and the recommendations will be handed over to the government once the proceedings concluded. It is the undeniable responsibility of the government to pay due attention on the recommendations when forming the National Policy and reach the agreements with the best interest of the country and the nation.
As such, it is strongly requested to restrain from discussions on any international trade agreements, including ETCA, until the formation of National Policy on the International Trade and Trade Agreements.
Professional’s National Front
Eng. Kapila Perera
Secretary – Professionals’ National Front
April 28th, 2017 at 1:16 am
Are these guys idiots? Don’t they know who Ranil is? Who gave him permission to offer peace terms to the LTTE in the aftermath of 9/11 in 2001? Who gave him authority to sign peace deal with the LTTE thus relegating Sri Lankan Armed Forces to barracks and the LTTE to roam the island at their will and pleasure?
Has anybody in the Yahapalana challenged his authority – derived only by his arrogance – derived entirely from the backing he is getting from the Christian West, Christian Church and India.
Aiyo Sirisena has no place – no say in any matter. He can only say “Yes Sir – No Sir” depending on what Ranil commands him to say.
April 28th, 2017 at 3:19 am
Ratnapala,
The bottom line is that we need LEADERS who make decisions only to discharge their DUTY to the people of their Motherland, disregarding self-interest.
The honor, respect and gratitude they can earn from those they are fortunate enough to serve should be reward enough.
Such people are called PATRIOTIC LEADERS!
Unfortunately, there are SO FEW PATRIOTIC LEADERS in our country willing to SERVE their people, regardless of PERSONAL RISK.
I don’t really understand why, given our Buddhist learning that in the end we can take nothing away except the merit we acquire through our service to others.
It really makes no sense to me to amass more and more wealth, to acquire more and more things that I really don’t need, and to be insensitive to the pain, suffering and need of the most vulnerable among us.
I can wear only one set of clothes at a time, I need only one bed in a modest house to shelter me, and I can enjoy only one meal, simple and modest as I prefer, at any given time.
What gives me the greatest joy is helping others less fortunate than myself. Therefore, I am continually perplexed by the sheer inability of our politicians, endowed by Providence with great opportunities to do immense good, to treasure those opportunities and discharge their duty honestly and well.
In my view it is all such a profligate waste of opportunities to earn merit, which in the final analysis is the ONLY MEANINGFUL THING we can really take away from this impermanent ephemeral thing we call life.
Only a few people, MR and Gota being among them, who understand this instinctively.