Opposition MPs who participated in the All-Party Conference convened by the government today expressed support for President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s efforts to address the reciprocal tariffs imposed on Sri Lanka by the United States.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva described the discussions with the government and other opposition members as productive. Speaking to the media, he said there was consensus on responding to the challenges of the US tariffs. “The President respected our views and we had a very productive discussion,” he said. 

Posting on X, de Silva said there was a “common agreement that while we do everything to strengthen trade with [the] world [the] immediate issue is to arrive at a ‘HS Code based bilateral trade deal’ with the US.” He also underscored the urgency of resuming talks on the Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement (ETCA) with India.

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said his party raised concerns over the potential loss of the European Union’s GSP Plus trade concession, which could affect Sri Lanka’s apparel sector. He also highlighted the need to address both import and export tariffs, particularly the CESS, which he claimed benefits a select group of businessmen.

However, Rasamanickam noted that ITAK did not agree with the contents of a letter presented to the President by MP Dilith Jayaweera’s party.

SJB MP S. M. Marikkar said there were no significant differences between the government’s proposals and those of the opposition. “It appears that we are in agreement on certain things like investments, markets, and free trade agreements,” he said.

The All-Party Conference, chaired by President Dissanayake, was held at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss the US-imposed tariffs on Sri Lankan exports.

Previously, Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, revealed the meeting was organized following a request by 12 opposition party leaders to meet with the President to address the issue.

The administration of US President Donald Trump recently imposed a 44% reciprocal tariff on Sri Lankan goods, effective April 9, 2025, as part of Trump’s revised trade policy.

On Wednesday night, Trump announced a 90-day pause on the new tariffs for affected countries but escalated trade tensions with China by imposing a 125% levy on Chinese exports to the US. (Newswire)

The post US Tariff APC : Opposition MPs reveal details of discussion appeared first on Newswire.

Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, has announced that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will convene an all-party meeting this week to discuss the recently imposed US tariffs. 

In a statement on ‘X’, Minister Rathnayake said the President will meet all party leaders at the Presidential Secretariat tomorrow, 10 April 2025.

“The discussion will focus on the impact of unusual US Tariffs on our exports. Today morning, 12 opposition party leaders requested to meet the president to discuss the issue,” he added. 

The Donald Trump-led US Government recently imposed reciprocal tariffs on several countries, including Sri Lanka. 

A 44% tariff was imposed on Sri Lankan goods by the United States under President Donald Trump’s revised trade policy, effective from 09 April 2025.

The move, described by the U.S. as a reciprocal measure in response to what it claims are Sri Lanka’s 88% trade barriers on American goods, places Sri Lanka among the countries facing the highest tariff rates globally. (Newswire)

The post US tariff : Govt confirms all-party conference appeared first on Newswire.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reportedly invited all opposition party leaders for an all-party conference to discuss the US tariff issue and its impact on Sri Lanka.

An opposition MP told Newswire that the President has convened the meeting for tomorrow at the Presidential Secretariat.

The move follows requests from Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several other opposition MPs, urging the President to hold a discussion on the matter.

However, there has been no official communication from the President’s Office regarding the meeting so far. (Newswire)

The post US Tax Issue: President to Convene All-Party Conference? appeared first on Newswire.

All party leaders have been requested to submit their proposals and suggestions regarding the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, the President’s Media Division (PMD) reported.

The PMD stated that the request has been notified in writing to all party leaders by the President’s Secretary.

All party leaders have been requested to submit their proposals and suggestions on or before August 15th, as agreed during an all-party conference held in July.

An all-party conference took place under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on July 26 with the aim to resolve the ethnic issue, come to a consensus, and strengthen national harmony. (NewsWire)

The post 13th Amendment : Party leaders requested to submit proposals appeared first on Newswire.