Postpone signing of agreement: GMOA

5 January 2016 04:22 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA), today, requested President Maithripala Sirisena to postpone the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement until a national policy on trade agreements was worked out.

In a letter to him, the GMOA said that trade agreements should be drafted while maintaining the country’s identity and security, and that they should benefit the country and its citizens.

GMOA general secretary Dr. Nalinda Herath said the shortcomings in an agreement had to be resolved through international arbitration, and these procedures were technically and legally very complex and difficult for a country like Sri Lanka to deal with.

“Resolving the shortcomings of an agreement will consume a massive amount of money. This was evident during the arbitration regarding the hedging agreement. The massive loss caused by the hedging agreement will have to be borne by generations to come,” he said at a media briefing yesterday.

He said that, therefore, they proposed that there should be a national policy on the formulation of trade agreements and that the Indo-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement should not be signed until a such a policy was formulated.

Dr. Herath said the proposed agreement would cause more harm to Sri Lanka than the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

“The existing Indo-Sri Lanka FTA has not benefited Sri Lanka. Those who drafted this agreement have failed to pay attention to the needs and responsibilities of Sri Lanka and the burden is now upon its citizens,” he said.

He said they were not convinced of the supposed advantages of the proposed agreement and that there was no transparency in the drafting of the agreement.

However, he thanked Minister Malik Samarawickrama for providing them with information regarding the proposed agreement. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 10

Chris Wednesday, 06 January 2016 06:20 AM

So now the GMOA has become an advisory body on trade matters too. What a country?

Bumpy Wednesday, 06 January 2016 07:52 AM

Please concentrate on improving the state health services. If not we should get better skilled doctors and a lower cost from India. This is why this joker is so worried.

retireddoc Wednesday, 06 January 2016 08:07 AM

Why are the gmoa actually interestes in this agreament.it is not like the gmoa to not have their own agenda. Could it permit indian doctors to come and work in sri lanka for less money and affect the private practice mafia. Could it let in indian private hospitals and medical colleges.

Varna Wednesday, 06 January 2016 08:13 AM

While appreciating the right of pressure groups to voice their concerns and the need to heed to them in a democratic society, one should wonder how a country could proceed like this. When the government makes a move, then there will be so many schools of thought opposing that move. I do not think that this should be the case when a country striving to move from lower middle income to upper middle income status.

Varna Wednesday, 06 January 2016 08:13 AM

While appreciating the right of pressure groups to voice their concerns and the need to heed to them in a democratic society, one should wonder how a country could proceed like this. When the government makes a move, then there will be so many schools of thought opposing that move. I do not think that this should be the case when a country striving to move from lower middle income to upper middle income status.

TONY Wednesday, 06 January 2016 09:20 AM

SACK GOVT SERVANTS (DOCTORS) WHO ARE INVOLVED IN POLITICS

Banda Wednesday, 06 January 2016 09:22 AM

If my vote counts... I think GMOA might be correct. Better to calculate the impact before jumping.

Bingo Wednesday, 06 January 2016 09:43 AM

Better skills doctors from India? You must be day dreaming. In India if you see 100 doctors only 1 is good enough!. Fully messed up system bro.

Perumal Wednesday, 06 January 2016 01:10 PM

Better die of illnesses than catering to all whims and fancies of Sri lankan Doctors

kumar Wednesday, 06 January 2016 08:35 PM

GMOA is trying to interfere in matters outside their scope. If so public should be entitled to interfere in GMOA matters.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Postpone signing of agreement: GMOA

Comments - 10

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

April 15 declared a government holiday

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

New Visa procedure implemented

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES