Govt Clarifies Stance on ETCA and ISFTA Agreements with India

At a special press conference held at the Department of Government Information today, Minister Herath clarified that discussions about the ETCA are ongoing, but no formal steps have been taken to finalize or enforce the agreement. 

The Minister emphasized that following President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent visit to India, contrary to media reports, the ETCA remains unsigned and unimplemented.

Herath further explained that there is a need to update the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA), signed several decades ago, to reflect the current economic landscape and opportunities for market expansion. "We are working within the framework of the existing ISFTA and are focused on its renewal and modernization," he said.

Reassuring the public, the Minister stressed that the government is committed to safeguarding Sri Lanka’s economic interests and will not enter into agreements that could harm the nation’s economy. 

He reiterated the government’s position on the matter, affirming their readiness to advance economic and trade relations between Sri Lanka and India in a mutually beneficial manner.

"We are ready at any time to work for the development of the economy and trade of both countries," Minister Herath concluded.