CEPA coming as ETCA, says GMOA

7 December 2015 08:29 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A group International Trade Ministry officials will leave for India on December 21 to make a final decision on the Economic and Technology Cooperative Agreement (ETCA) with India which was earlier known as Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) revealed on Monday.

The revelation was made by International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama during a meeting held yesterday with GMOA members who continuously opposed the long-pending CEPA/ETCA.

GMOA member Dr. Haritha Aluthge told the Daily Mirror that according to International Trade Minister Samarawickrama, a final decision on the long-pending agreement would be made on December 22.

“We pointed out the kind of damage that will be posed to the Sri Lankan trade community. We were informed by the minister that they would finalize the ETCA only after reading the facts in the agreement and studying them,” Dr. Aluthge said.

However, during a media briefing held yesterday by the GMOA, its Secretary Dr. Nalinda Herath said all arrangements have been made to sign the CEPA/ETCA agreement between Sri Lanka and India in January.

“Though the name CEPA has been changed to ETCA, we still cannot accept allowing unemployed Indian professionals to enter the Sri Lankan labour market. As we previously said, we extend our fullest support to the Government to improve the quality and skills of Sri Lankan professionals up to international standards. But, instead of uplifting local labourers, the government is going to hire Indians. As the ones who opposed the ETCA, we have had to face defamation from some people. Since we oppose it, the GMOA’s and all state professionals’ reputation is being defamed by some people. The public should be concerned over this due to the impending dangers it would cause,” Dr. Herath explained. (Piyumi Fonseka)

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Comments - 17

kapil Tuesday, 08 December 2015 08:13 AM

CEPA is definitely a perilous journey to srilanka..

lkboy Tuesday, 08 December 2015 06:15 PM

But we dont need cheap less-quality doctors who dont understand our language and culture to check our health.

willows Tuesday, 08 December 2015 02:40 PM

these so called GMOA docas are worried for their private practice only nothing else?

Andrew Pitugala Tuesday, 08 December 2015 11:37 AM

Indian doctors sharing private practice may be the issue.

Punchirala Tuesday, 08 December 2015 11:28 AM

What do the medical personnel have to do with trade agreement? It is like donkey is trying to do the job of the dog!

Sukkha Tuesday, 08 December 2015 10:07 AM

No other group of professionals are so blatant in protecting their monopoly power and privilege. Medicos will do anything to stop people getting a private education, or foreign doctors practicing here; or even a reduction in duty free car import perks.

chan Tuesday, 08 December 2015 09:18 AM

Sri Lankan people are worried about whether doctors a permit or not , who have the time to worry about whole country going loose jobs if India comes here ? There are computer engineers making shoes for a living in India with a salary only enough to eat

Sapu Tuesday, 08 December 2015 08:50 AM

ETCA is NOT CEPA but if it was CEPA I would have gladly accepted Indian docs isntead of our always striking docs

Ryan Hudson Tuesday, 08 December 2015 08:33 AM

My3 and Ranil will make this country a haven for Indian kallathonis

Lokka Tuesday, 08 December 2015 06:44 AM

This is where the whole of the professional and the academic communities should come to the streets against this dangerous move by our political establishment, instead of staging unnecessary strikes over trivial matters.

rohantha Tuesday, 08 December 2015 07:55 AM

Gmoa is like a frog in a well. It is better government is handed over to them as it seems they know everything except treating patients without fleecing

Nuke Tuesday, 08 December 2015 07:37 AM

RIP srilanka, better going off to some other country. Indians will flock in and you will hear a loud indian accent in every corner.

PPP Tuesday, 08 December 2015 07:37 AM

ETCA is about technology transfer and Indian tech companies investing in SL employing Sri Lankans

PPP Tuesday, 08 December 2015 07:35 AM

ETCA is very different from CEPA

dulan Tuesday, 08 December 2015 07:28 AM

Then why are so many sri lankan doctors working overseas? First put a ban on this. Majority of the rest are servicing top private hospitals whilst holding on to govt job.

nism Tuesday, 08 December 2015 07:14 AM

That is what going to happen when the local doctors becomes more expensive to the govt. Ask for more perks and money.

Innocent D Tuesday, 08 December 2015 07:12 AM

The government is trying to defame doctors and other professionals... We the public should stop this...

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CEPA coming as ETCA, says GMOA

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