GMOA Blames Chandrika For Planting Dr. Saman Kelegama to Formulate the National Policy on International / Foreign Trade

Addressing the media in Colombo yesterday, Dr. Herath said Dr. Saman Kelegama has been appointed to formulate the National Policy on ‘international/foreign trade agreements’. He is one of the close associates of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and owns a company which is engaged in business with India. Handing over this task to him is similar to handing over cocks to the fox, he said.

He further  said the country needs a National Policy formulated by a commission and not a policy created by an individual based on his own ideas.

There is a more powerful person than the President , PM , and the Minister Samara Wickrama in promoting and signing  ETCA. The person is non other than former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, he said.

Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama tries his best to keep the process transparent, but he is powerless.

 He said World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade In Services Section Director Abdel Hamid Mamdouh also pointed out disadvantages for Sri Lanka due to the lack of legislation in terms of foreign trade agreements.

GMOA Assistant Secretary, Dr. Haritha Aluthge said the GMOA is against the proposed ambulance service to be established in the Western and Southern Provinces due to four reasons, including the threat it poses to the national security.

Efforts are being made to house the service in state hospitals. It will create problems and may lead to illicit drug racket when certain addictive drugs with limited importation are imported without limits, he concluded.