Sajith requests Modi’s help to address US reciprocal tax burden

• Says the Sri Lankan government has done nothing about the US reciprocal taxes like the other countries have done

I have requested Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support Sri Lanka come out of the crisis created by the 44 percent reciprocal taxes on imports from Sri Lanka by US President Donald Trump, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said over the weekend.   
“I have requested him to open Indian markets further for Sri Lankan exports. Also, I requested him to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to come out of an economic crisis,” he said at a public meeting in Colombo East.  He said the following during the meeting.  Sri Lanka could face an economic tsunami as a result of US reciprocal taxes on imports. Around 40 percent of our apparel exports go to USA. Around 350,000 jobs and a total of one million direct and indirect jobs are likely be lost as a result of Trump’s new tax policy.  Some apparel exporters who met me recently are panicking. The Sri Lankan government has done nothing about the US reciprocal taxes like the other countries have done.   
I request the Sri Lankan government to send in a team of experts in international trade to have a dialogue with the USA.