Govt. empowers Commerce DG to enact anti-dumping laws

Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa has informed the Cabinet of Ministers that the Director General of Commerce is now empowered to implement local laws against unfair trade practices, including anti-dumping impacting local industries, finally giving teeth to a law that was passed in 2018. 

Such unfair trade practices include the dumping of goods and violations of the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act No.2 of 2018, and Safeguard Measures Act No.3 of 2018, which were passed by the former Government.

The move introduces anti-dumping laws to Sri Lanka, filling a long-felt gap in trade regulations.  According to the Government, the Gazette notification regarding the enforcement of the laws had been published in October this year.

“The relevant gazette notification has been published stating that the said acts are effective from 19 October 2020, as acts coming into effect should be declared by the subject Minister. Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has taken into account the information brought forward by the Minister of Industries, and thus indicated that the Director General of Commerce, in their capacity as the proper authority under the aforementioned two, is now eligible to intervene in instances wherein local industries may fall foul of unfavourable trade practices,” a press release by the Government Information Department said.  Formulating and getting parliamentary approval for the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act No.2 of 2018 and Safeguard Measures Act No.3 of 2018, took 17 years and was seen as a landmark achievement. 

It was also a key measure to protect local industries under liberalisation measures that were championed by the former administration. 

Since 2001 ministries relevant to the international trade and commerce sectors have worked to draft bills on anti-dumping and countervailing duties and safeguard measures. However, the legislation has been due to be passed in Parliament since 5 May 2001. 

Cabinet approval was obtained to present these bills to Parliament and as a result they were presented to Parliament in January 2006 for the first time. Thereafter, these two bills haven been discussed by Members of Parliament at several consultative committee meetings related to trade, commerce, consumer affairs and market development.