UNP urges greater economic cooperation with India

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) stressed the need to go for greater economic cooperation with India instead of adopting a hostile approach to suit the interests of a few.

Speaking in Parliament last week, UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said the government stopped short of signing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India due to the objection made by a few.

"Some feared that the CEPA, if signed, would open up opportunities even for Indian barbers to come here for work. Interestingly, despite the fact that there is no such agreement signed, Ramani Salon and Nayana Salon of Sri Lanka are doing business in India, so it is not a logical argument," he said.

Interestingly, despite the fact that there is no CEPA, Ramani Salon and Nayana Salon of Sri Lanka are doing business in India

"Today people have been compelled to prepare only the 'coconut sambol' without the usual accompaniment of Maldive fish because it's very expensive. The current tax on a kilo of Maldive fish is Rs.275.The tax on canned fish imports has been increased too.