ETCA is not a job-stealing ‘boogeyman’ says Kavinda

UNP MP Kavinda Jayawardena

The UNP MP Kavinda Jayawardena said yesterday that the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India has been inaccurately portrayed as a “boogeyman” that will come steal away the jobs of Sri Lanka’s youth and take them to India. 

He stated that even those who make such wild accusations regarding the proposed agreement have no understanding about the real appearance of ETCA.

We need technical and scientific agreements with the world in order to carry the country forward, he told reporters at a media briefing. “As the world advances we have to change those agreements.” 

“We will not sign the ETCA agreement that you think it will be. But we will definitely sign the agreements that the country needs,” the Gampaha District MP said.

The government has said it will expedite the signing process of Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement with India, in the wake of the fallout from Brexit.

A group of Sri Lankan officials are expected to arrive at New Delhi to negotiate with India and fast track the signing of the agreement.