Gammanpila says Indian High Commissioner should be removed

7 March 2016 09:15 am - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Opposition MP and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya general secretary, Udaya Gammanpila yesterday asked President Maithripala Sirisena to request the Indian government to recall its High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Y.K. Sinha, for what he called 'interference in domestic affairs.'

He said this while criticising a statement made recently by Mr. Sinha that he was surprised by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Joint Opposition’s stance on the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) between India and Sri Lanka. Mr. Sinha had taken a swipe at the joint opposition's Prof. G.L. Peiris saying that he should have stuck to his academic work rather than getting into politics.

Mr. Gammanpila said, Mr. R. Premadasa, when he was president, had got an Indian High Commissioner recalled for interfering in our internal affairs -- thus violating diplomatic norms. He said President Sirisena should do the same. He said people were waiting to see whether the present leadership had the guts to do so.

He said though Sri Lanka had a much smaller population than India, Sri Lankans comprised the greatest number of tourists to India. He warned India not to let the situation escalate to an extent that Sri Lankans boycotted Indian foods and stopped visiting India.

The Hindu reports:

Referring to reported observations of the former President and members of the Joint Opposition against the ETCA, Mr. Sinha, who did not mention the name of any Sri Lankan leader opposing the pact, told members of the Sri Lanka-India Society on Friday that he was “surprised” to come across Mr. Rajapaksa’s statements in sections of the local press on the issue.

It was Mr. Rajapaksa’s government that held negotiations with India over the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which had included “trade in services”. He described as “quite amusing” the statements of members of the Joint Opposition, some of whom were ministers during the Rajapaksa regime, when the CEPA, he said, was negotiated.

Mr Sinha’s response was in the context of views expressed in certain quarters that the proposed ETCA would deprive job opportunities for Sri Lankans in a host of fields, including information technology; and that the Free Trade Agreement, effective since March 2000, had not been beneficial to Sri Lanka.

Qualifying his rebuttal, the diplomat said, “I hesitate to get into the political controversy” but that he felt “constrained” to join the debate because “I do not think we should let naysayers take all the public space on this issue without anyone else trying to put the facts.” (Piyumi Fonseka)

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Comments - 15

Tyson Monday, 07 March 2016 09:37 AM

Who is this pin head to ask the Indian High Commissioner to be removed. A response from a IT scientists as he call himself an IT professional.

Shiran Monday, 07 March 2016 10:01 AM

This guy has a statement for everything.. Just wants to stay visible in the media as he has no other political relevance..

Ryan Hudson Monday, 07 March 2016 10:14 AM

Sinha is RAW more than Modi

BV Monday, 07 March 2016 10:42 AM

ARE OUR LUNATICS AT ANGODA OR AT PARLIAMENT via DM Android App

Sri Wickrama Monday, 07 March 2016 10:46 AM

H E the Indian High Commissioner has every right to air his views on this matter as it is a mutual agreement between our two countries. These corrupted politicians are hell bent on sabotaging new projects for their own survival.

Wesko Monday, 07 March 2016 10:57 AM

Who gave him the power.... Remove a DPL..

e.weerapperuma Monday, 07 March 2016 11:06 AM

MP Gammanpila is wrong. There is no interference to internal affairs, when the Indian High Commissioner bring out the story behind what Kurunegal MP Rajapaksa tried to hide or ignore. I totally endorse the views expressed by the Indian HC in respect of Prof.G.L.Peiris. He should have remained arespected Academic without entering in political arena. (KORALE)

Rojer Monday, 07 March 2016 01:55 PM

How come Indian DPL criticising opposing view of the agreement that is for Indian govt. If SL DPL did the same thing in India he will be sent home next day.

Ravi Monday, 07 March 2016 09:21 PM

Pal, India has more clout than SL. Sooner we realise it faster we can progress.

usuf Monday, 07 March 2016 09:28 PM

Mr.Gamanpila is cleverer than d angels who fear to ..... via DM Android App

Kiris Baba Amaray Monday, 07 March 2016 10:10 PM

No one gave him the power. He is trying to exhibit that he is a prominent politician. He is just a nutty.

Horri Jimonis Monday, 07 March 2016 10:16 PM

Because of self prominence he is trying to play games independently leaving his Joint Opposition, in order to become a Leader.

Dayan Monday, 07 March 2016 10:16 PM

He has the every right to criticize opposition views as the subject matter is between sri lanka and India. And the opposition in uttering blatant lies on this.

onlooker Tuesday, 08 March 2016 12:37 PM

The definition of a diplomat is not that.

onlooker Tuesday, 08 March 2016 12:39 PM

Gammanpila is absolutely correct.

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Gammanpila says Indian High Commissioner should be removed

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