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Sri Lanka

Malaysia calls for Sri Lanka FTA
31-Jul-2018 Daily Mirror
Malaysia has expressed its strong interest in moving forward on the free trade agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka that was initially contemplated in 2013, a communiqué from Sri Lanka’s Industry and Commerce Ministry said yesterday.
China unresponsive over FTA talks with Sri Lanka
19-Jul-2018 Nikkei Asian Review
Beijing possibly hoping for a return to power of the Rajapaksa clan.
Sri Lanka to begin FTA talks, strategic economic partnership as Thailand PM visits
10-Jul-2018 Economy Next
Sri Lanka is expecting to ink a deal on a strategic economic partnership with Thailand on July 12, including initial talks on a free trade agreement.
The need to rethink free trade agreements
26-Jun-2018 The Island
Sri Lankan public has not heard of most of the FTAs that the country has entered into, let alone the harm or benefit they might get.
Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA challenged in Supreme Court
18-Jun-2018 Daily Mirror
President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardane impugned before the Supreme Court that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Sri Lanka has entered into with Singapore is inimical to the interests of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka–Singapore FTA: An agreement between a giant and a child
14-Jun-2018 Daily Mirror
The trade deal between Singapore and Sri Lanka is not seen that of ’equals’ to create economic relations. The difference is not pertaining to their respective economic powers but their legal and regulatory frameworks.
China- Sri Lanka FTA talks not stalled: Secretary
12-Jun-2018 Sunday Observer
Secretary to the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, Chandani Wijewardana last week refuted reports that discussions between Sri Lanka and China on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) had come to a standstill.
Govt. to review FTA with China : Malik
8-Jun-2018 Daily Mirror
The Sri Lankan government will hold ministerial level talks with China to review and iron out contentious issues in the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries, Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama said.
Singapore FTA: JO challenges Malik to a debate
6-Jun-2018 Daily Mirror
The joint opposition today challenged Minister Malik Samarawickrama to a debate on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore and urged President Maithripala Sirisena to suspend the FTA.
China – Sri Lanka FTA talks stalled
4-Jun-2018 News First
Talks between China and Sri Lanka for a free trade agreement have hit a major hurdle as Beijing has rejected Colombo’s demand for a review of the deal after 10 years.
China’s free trade talks with Sri Lanka hit major hurdles
31-May-2018 The Economic Times
alks between China and Sri Lanka for a free trade agreement have hit major hurdles, mainly because Beijing will not agree to Colombo’s demand for a review of the deal after 10 years, Sri Lanka’s top negotiator said.
Mahendran played key role in signing FTA: Dayasiri
23-May-2018 Daily Mirror
SLFP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara alleged today that former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, who was in Singapore, had played the key role in signing the Free Trade Agreement between Sri Lanka and Singapore.
“FTA violates President’s program for food production” – Aruna Kantha Bandara
21-May-2018 News First
The Sri Lanka Singapore Free Trade Agreement has raised serious concern among many industries.
Doctors to go on strike tomorrow against FTA with Singapore
16-May-2018 Colombo Gazette
Government doctors are to stage a token strike tomorrow against the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Sri Lanka FTAs: stupidity or treachery?
16-May-2018
The President of Sri Lanka expressed that his government will safeguard the local industrialists. In several occasions, he has mentioned that the government does not want to go for trade agreements that are deleterious to the country’s economy. However, in January this year, the president was seated in the high chair clapping when the bilateral trade agreement with Singapore is signed, which liberalized the country’s service sector effectively for the first time.
Govt. responds to Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA detractors
14-May-2018 Daily Mirror
In response to concerns raised by some professional associations last week concerning the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA), the Development Strategies and International Trade Ministry in a detailed response said the movement of natural persons from Singapore has not been opened except for intra-corporate transferees in senior management and business visitors linked to investments.
Professionals say Sri Lankan govt. rushed into Singapore FTA
11-May-2018 Daily Mirror
In Sri Lanka, the top professional bodies representing engineers, architects, town planners and quantity surveyors and other related professions this week charged that the government has rushed into signing the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA) without having proper legal frameworks in place to ensure job security of local professionals and the possible entry of under-qualified overseas professionals.
FTA with Singapore detrimental to Sri Lanka: JO
9-May-2018 Daily Mirror
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed with Singapore is detrimental to the country because it would allow the flowing in of cheap labour from countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the joint opposition said today.
Sri Lanka Thailand to begin talks on FTA from May
7-May-2018 Economic Next
Sri Lanka and Thailand will begin talks on setting broad parameters for a free trade deal from May 2018, officials said.
Sri Lanka to "redouble" efforts on China, India free trade deals
28-Mar-2018 Bloomberg
Sri Lanka will “redouble” efforts to strike a free trade deal with China and conclude and expanded trade pact with India as part of the island nation’s strategy of becoming an Indian Ocean hub for investors and multinationals, the country’s top diplomat says.