Calls for Commerce Dept. Chief’s head over Indo-Lanka CEPA

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 00:42 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Heads of Munchee, DSI, Multichemi and four others write to Commerce Ministry expressing lack of confidence in Department of Commerce DG Gomi Senadhira after alleged disregard of concerns over CEPA; urge new head for Lankan team in negotiations with India

Heads of several top companies have requested that the Director General of Commerce be removed and another person appointed to continue discussions regarding negotiations with India on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The new twist in Sri Lanka’s preparations to finalise the controversial deal with India came after Director General of Commerce Gomi Senadhira had allegedly suppressed concerns expressed by local businessmen at the first consultative meeting with business chambers by the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) on the CEPA.

Seven business leaders, styling themselves as CEPA Forum Group, and have written a stinker to Ministry of Industry and Commerce Secretary Tilak Collure are Ceylon Biscuits Chairman Mineka Wickramasinghe, DSI Samson Group Managing Director D.K. Rajapaksha, Multichemi Group /Natures Secret Managing Director Samantha Kumarasinghe, Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs Secretary General Gamini Sarath, KIK Lanka Chairman Lalith Kahatapitiya, DPJ Holdings Chairman Prasantha Jaymanna and Sri Lanka Chamber of Small and Medium Industries Vice President K. Chandrasekara.

The letter charges that the minutes of the consultative meeting have been changed to suit the objectives of the Director General Senadhira and ignores the concerns made by the business community.

“We are truly disappointed to find that Director General of Commerce Gomi Senadhira has totally changed the contents of the discussion and has circulated partial and incorrect minutes. He has deliberately ignored the objectives and crucial issues raised by the business chambers and other industrialists during the meeting and have disregarded all proofs submitted to confirm the validity of our arguments. It is evident that the Director General is abusing his authority in IAC and trying to send proposals to India on 30 April with the message that the IAC has approved his views on CEPA without objections,” the letter claims.

Insisting that quick action must be taken to prevent events that could “cause irrevocable damages to our motherland,” the letter goes on to urge the Ministry Secretary not to allow Senadhira to take any decision on CEPA as he is due to retire soon. “We strongly believe that he favours Indian proposals, ignoring all the objections raised by Sri Lankan stakeholders.”

The letter concludes with “due to his reluctance to accommodate the view of the Sri Lankan stakeholders, his irresponsible decision making and his adamant attitude we have lost confident in the Director General to handle CEPA negotiations with India and kindly request appointment of a successor to head the Sri Lankan team that negotiate CEPA proposals.”