Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met with senior representatives of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi yesterday (03), initiating a broad dialogue on enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and technology.
MP Premadasa, who is currently on an official visit to India, proposed the establishment of an operational task force under the India–Sri Lanka Joint Economic Commission to facilitate trade flows and investment.
He also suggested creating a dedicated India–Sri Lanka Industrial and Technological Trade Zone in Sri Lanka to support Indian industries.
To identify priority sectors such as renewable energy, agro-processing, logistics, tourism, and semiconductors, MP Premadasa recommended forming a Sri Lanka–CII Business Council.
He invited Indian entrepreneurs to expand their operations in Sri Lanka and pledged to remove any barriers to foreign direct investment, ensuring full facilitation through multiparty legislative support.
He also expressed Sri Lanka’s willingness to become a complementary manufacturing and processing hub under India’s semiconductor initiatives.
Emphasizing inclusive, tech-driven development, MP Premadasa stated that growth must be people-centred and people-led, with the benefits of progress reaching all segments of society.
He further noted that India’s rise in manufacturing and technology should not be seen as a challenge to Sri Lanka, but rather as an opportunity for future collaboration. (Newswire)