CSSL calls for review of FTA signed with Singapore

The Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL), the representative body of the IT professionals in Sri Lanka, has been taking part in the dialogues held in regard to the signing of several Free Trade Agreements (FTA) between Sri Lanka and countries including Singapore, India and China towards developing Sri Lanka.

CSSL Executive Council and membership has always been optimistic about the outcomes of the FTAS and has updated at the meetings about the safeguard of its own Sri Lankan IT professionals, especially with regard to the ‘Mode 4’ of the proposed FTAS, around presence of natural persons.

However, after reviewing the signed FTA between Sri Lanka and Singapore which has been signed in January, the CSSL council is having some concerns over the liberalisation of IT profession compared to legal, engineering and architecture professions, where it states horizontal commitments and horizontal conditions.

Therefore, CSSL earnestly requests the government to discuss this matter with CSSL and other IT industry stakeholders before the agreement is put into action.

While CSSL appreciates FTAS to broaden the country’s trade and make Sri Lanka a hub in the region, it also shows the need to carefully evaluate the impact on the IT community in Sri Lanka and the economy before these things are rushed into action.

CSSL believes it should have internal rules properly placed before business is widely opened to the world, especially in the areas where it could impact job opportunities of Sri Lankans.