Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament yesterday (18) that the Government has not held any discussions nor has entered into any agreements with India regarding the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) between India and Sri Lanka.
The Minister said that the Government has not entered into any agreements with India other than the discussions held on export of excess electricity generated in the country under the BIMSTEC to countries within the BIMSTEC zone which is a benefit for the country.
He said that based on that benefit, the Government will export excess electricity generated to other countries and earn revenue for the country under the BIMSTEC economic cooperation, but no such agreements have been entered into with India other than continued discussions on electricity and other projects which is clearly mentioned in the joint statement made by the President of Sri Lanka and the Prime Minister of India during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to India.
Minister Herath pointed out that the Government has not entered into any type of agreements with India that will betray the country.
The Minister said this in response to a question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara regarding the ETCA that he said has been signed and sealed by the Government during President Dissanayake’s official visit to India and whether the NPP Government would now withdraw their previous claims while being in the opposition that the ETCA with India will have a negative impact on the country.
Minister Herath said that President Dissanayake has received a mandate from the Sri Lankan people to develop the country, which was not received by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
