S. Ranugge, Secretary to the Ministry of Export Development and International Trade, says, “We cannot share the document with the public without first receiving the cabinet approval.” He said the agreement is still in a draft form and at the stage of negotiating the schedules of the agreement. Once it is done it will be presented to the cabinet.

He also said that all the chambers and professional organizations representing different sectors of the local have been consulted in the process of formulation of the agreement. The JVP is also opposed to the agreement because it is disadvantageous to Sri Lanka.

According to JVP Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath, "We do not approve of the current version of the agreement as it stands. This will impact adversely on the Sri Lankan economy. The services sector will be open for the Indians to come and work here. There is a large Indian labour pool and as a result we might see a flood of Indian labour in the country which would put many Sri Lankans out of work," he said. According to Mr Herath this will not only increase the problem of employment but will put many local companies at the risk of losing their business.

“Local businesses will not be able to compete with the Indian imports. The finished products which are imported from India will not be taxed thus they will have a lower retail price. But the local manufacturers who will have to pay taxes for raw material will have a higher retail price and would lose the competitiveness. This will result in closure of many of the local businesses" he explained.