AG informs SC Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA under review

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Supreme Court that the Government is re-examining the Sri Lanka -Singapore Free Trade Agreement signed during the previous government.

A petition filed by eight parties including the Government Medical Officers Association against the Sri Lanka -Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA) was taken up for consideration before a Supreme Court Trial-at-Bar comprising Justices Vijith Malalgoda, L.T.B Dehideniya, and Preethi Padman Surasena.

Senior State Counsel N. Wigneswaran, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, told the Court that the Government was re-examining the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Accordingly, the three-member panel of judges has fixed the Petition for consideration on 13 July and ordered the Senior State Counsel to inform the progress of the proceedings on that day.

The Petitioners claim that the Free Trade Agreement signed by the Government of Sri Lanka with Singapore during the previous Government period is contrary to the Constitution.

The Petitioners have pointed out that as approval of Parliament was not obtained before signing the FTA, they have asked the Supreme Court to issue a decree to revoke the SLSFTA as it violates the Constitution. 

The Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA was signed in early 2018 and according to the document changes to the agreement could only be made during a one year period, which has since lapsed.