Professionals walk out but keep options open on ETCA discussions
The newly-formed joint professionals’ body, the United Professionals Movement (UPM) which last month walked out of discussions with the Government on the controversial Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), is nevertheless keeping its options open. UPM President Palitha Abeywardena told the Business Times they would continue to engage the government in discussions to ensure Sri Lankan professionals are unaffected by the proposed agreement with India. Another dispute is emerging: The government says ETCA would be concluded by end 2016 while the UPM argues that at least 4 to 6 months is needed to put in place a legal process that would protect local professionals.
On July 25, the UPM – a broad coalition of associations under the Organisation of Professionals Association (OPA) – staged a walk-out during discussions with the government disappointed that authorities were not serious about the concerns expressed by them, despite UPM proposal that was submitted on the best way forward. Other institutions which are part of the process however didn’t walk out of the meeting which was presided over by Minister of Development Strategies and Development Trade Malik Samarawickrema. Mr. Abeywardena explained that the government was not serious in their deliberations with the UPM on the issues regarding the import of professionals through investments in the country.
There was no immediate comment from the authorities over the UPM concern while an Indian delegation led by Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Joint Secretary at the Commerce Ministry concluded two days of preliminary talks in Colombo this week. As a mark of protest, the UPM didn’t participate at the next meeting on July 27 meeting where it was decided to call for the submission of proposals by the respective professional bodies and other stakeholders. On the same day, Development Strategies and International Trade Ministry Secretary Chandanie Wijayawardhana – in an email request – wrote to some of the key institutions and the OPA to submit their proposals within two weeks (from July 27).
Mr. Abeywardena, raising concerns over the deadline, said the authorities are more active in fast-tracking the agreement when it should first establish a legal framework in which foreign professionals could function in the country, The government has given an assurance that independent professionals are not part of the ETCA negotiations The Business Times learns that the first draft of the national policy framework on trade will be ready by end August. In a letter of protest addressed to Ms. Wijayawardhana on Tuesday (August 16), the UPM referred to the call for proposals as the government’s failure in understanding the gravity of framing a national policy and the strategic approach adopted in entering into an international agreement.