President directs immediate implementation of FTA with Singapore

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday instructed the relevant officials to implement the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) immediately.

He issued these instructions during the discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on the implementation of the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.

The existing problems in this regard were discussed at length and the President highlighted the need to provide quick solutions to all the existing problems.

President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Senior Economic Advisor to the President Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Food Security S.T. Kodikara and Heads of Line institutions were present at this discussion.

The move comes amidst an official visit by the Non-Resident High Commissioner of Singapore Chandra Das to Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Das called on Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry and held discussions on a wide range of issues related to enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The High Commissioner was accompanied by a business delegation from Singapore. The Minister briefed on areas and opportunities available for potential investment and business from Singapore.

High Commissioner Das also called on State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya and discussed issues related to finance, investment and tourism between the two countries.