Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha said that the proposed bilateral Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) was discussed during the President’s recent visit to India.

Speaking to journalists, the High Commissioner said however that no details were finalised during the discussion.

“There is nothing beyond the joint statement which is very clear about continuing discussions,” he said.

“The question whether it will conclude within a certain time frame or if it will take longer will depend on the eagerness of both sides to do it. It will also depend on issues that we still have to resolve,” the High Commissioner said, adding that imposing a timeline on the matter would be unrealistic.

The remarks were made in response to questions from journalists regarding the proposed ETCA agreement, which was among the topics discussed during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India in December.

In a joint statement issued after President Dissanayake’s engagements with the Indian government, both nations confirmed that discussions on the agreement were ongoing.

In response to media speculation following Dissanayake’s return to the country, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath clarified that the ETCA agreement was neither signed nor implemented during the President’s visit. (Newswire)

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Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath clarified that discussions on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India are ongoing, but no agreement has been signed or implemented.

“We have only agreed to take this discussion forward—not to sign or enforce the ETCA,” Herath said.

The Minister made these comments during a government media briefing. Herath also dismissed allegations made by political opponents.

“Certain bankrupt politicians have been making such false claims,” he said.

Herath stressed that the government remains committed to safeguarding Sri Lanka’s economy. “We would not enter into agreements that would harm our economy. That is our fundamental policy.”

The Foreign Minister said that the government aims to foster economic development for both countries , which aligns with the position outlined in the joint statement issued during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent state visit to India. (Newswire)

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Former President Ranil Wickremsinghe has commended President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his government’s decision to move forward with certain developments envisaged under Wickremesinghe’s administration.

Issuing a statement, Wickremeisnghe said the joint statement issued by Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a welcome development which further deepens Indo-Lanka cooperation.

“I also commend President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for going ahead with the
Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement and the development of
Trincomalee as a regional energy and industrial hub,” Wickremesinghe said.

In the joint statement, the Indian and Sri Lankan governments announced that the two countries will continue discussions on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement.

Acknowledging ongoing cooperation on the development of the Trincomalee Tank Farms, the statement said that both leaders agreed to support Trincomalee’s development as a regional energy and industrial hub. (Newswire)

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The 14th round of discussions related to the India – Sri Lanka Economic and Trade Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) is scheduled to be held on the first week of March 2024.

According to the government, the 13th round of discussions related to the proposed cooperation agreement was held in New Delhi for 10 days from January 08. 

The nine sub–committees responsible for ‘goods trade’, ‘introduction, general provisions and general exceptions’, ‘service trade’, ‘rules of the origin’, ‘customs procedure and easing the trade’, ‘measurements for sanitation and sanitation of vegetation’, ‘technical constraints for trade’, ‘trade accords’ and ‘economic and technological cooperation’ had entered into discussions. 

The subcommittee on conflict solving and final provisions has scheduled to conduct their discussions at the end of this month (Feb) in New Delhi. 

Thereby, the Cabinet took into consideration the information presented by the President concerning the current situation of the proposed ETCA. (NewsWire)  

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