Sri Lanka's leftist party JVP or the People's Liberation Front said on Tuesday that they will take to the streets if the Sri Lankan government moves forward with the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which is to be signed with the Indian government.
JVP legislator Sunil Handunnetti told reporters that the government is still not showing it to the public as well as to parliament despite of the request of opposition parties.
Handunnetti said Indian vehicles, drugs, foods, motorbikes and electrical goods have already invaded Sri Lankan market and the situation will get worse if CEPA is signed.
CEPA is a trade agreement between Sri Lanka and India. The two countries were on the verge of signing the agreement in October 2008, but Sri Lanka withdrew after the domestic opposition to CEPA heightened.
"According to the drafted agreement, the custom rules would be relaxed for the transactions between the two countries," Handunnetti said, adding that it is not a correct practice.
He said that under CEPA, Indian laborers would also come to Sri Lanka.
A senior government minister said CEPA will take center stage during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's ongoing visit to India and the government intends to sign the agreement later this year.
Keheliya Rambukwella, minister of Mass Media and Communication said the government is determined to give a wide spectrum of stakeholders an opportunity to express their views.
The business community, industrialists, investors, importers and exporters and even consumers can express their concerns on CEPA, said Rambukwella.
"The agreement would be signed after these suggestions and ideas are evaluated and incorporated into," he said.
© Peoples Daily Online
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