Harsha urges Govt. to suspend proposed amendment on SVAT removal for exporters

By Ajith Siriwardana   

In the wake of the reciprocal tariff imposed by US  President Donald Trump, SJB MP Dr. Harsha De Silva urged the government  to suspend next week’s scheduled amendment on SVAT removal for exporters  as an urgent relief until things settle.   

He said in a post on X that he was willing to help figure a  way forward on the new tariffs if President Anura Kumara Dissanayake  desired to seek his support.   

“This crisis is national. Fallout could be huge. My  position has always been Sri Lanka must break (tariff) walls and build  (trade) bridges,” he said.   

“It was only yesterday I argued at BIMSTEC Dialogue that  unless countries like Sri Lanka undertake major trade and investment  reforms, we will not be able to integrate with the region. I have always  argued that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is only a  dream unless we commit to liberalising in goods and services,” he said.     

The MP said “While I appreciate the complexity involved, I  urge the government to suspend next week’s scheduled amendment on SVAT  removal for exporters as an urgent relief until things settle.