PM slams opponents of India trade deal as 'traitors'

20 February 2016 10:40 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday branded as ‘traitors’ those opposed to a proposed trade deal with India, a day after the opposition criticised the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) as an attempt to "foreignise" the economy.

Speaking in southern Hambantota port, Wickremesinghe once again took on the trade union and other professional organisations. "Those who are against this are traitors because they want us not to find employment for the youth," he said.

Wickremesinghe said it was a misconception that the country would be flooded with Indians who would invade limited job opportunities in Sri Lanka in the IT sector. "In the previous CEPA deal there were provisions for goods services. Here we only seek technology and goods, no services," he said.

He said investment by the Chinese in Sri Lanka would be useless without having a vast market as that of India. "We need to tap into bigger markets to create employment. My government has the mandate to create jobs," he said. (DNA)

Video by Roshan Gunasekara

Comments - 8

Ikarus Sunday, 21 February 2016 12:02 AM

Those who oppose cannot be labeled as TRAITORS, they ae in fact expose those hidden facts which were not brought to light by the very person who call them as traitors. It is a fact that Indian migrant labour force will be in Sri Lanka ranging from grave diggers to academics, and will grab those employments depriving the available opportunities to unemployed Sri Lankans. Additionally, it will flood the Sri Lankan markets with Inferior Quality products for good foreign exchange. Currently there is 20 million unemployed Indians looking of jobs.This type of grabbing employment is currently done by Polish, Hungarians, Bulgarians, Romanians ect., in well developed EU countries. This is one of the main reason why Cameron is holding a referandum to decide to stay or exit EU.

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Sharon Sunday, 21 February 2016 08:33 AM

Did you talk of Good governance some time ago Sir via DM iOS App

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Mano Sunday, 21 February 2016 09:35 AM

talk about something you know.

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DAN Sunday, 21 February 2016 07:57 PM

Kokage Sudha Paanne Igilenakoyai kivwalu....

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Banda Sunday, 21 February 2016 07:58 PM

Mano you are like a frog in a well. You people have no clue. If indians are brought in give this nation 7 Years thats it.

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Demel Monday, 22 February 2016 09:37 AM

15 years of Indian Free Trade Agreement has not resulted in any foreign investor exporting to India because of Federal taxes. via DM Android App

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Bingo Monday, 22 February 2016 11:24 AM

Mano, you seems to sit on brain? or just blind Ranil supporter?

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acs Monday, 22 February 2016 01:29 PM

MR is not coming back!!! :-)

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