JO wants referendum on ETCA

The Joint Opposition yesterday called on President Maitripala Sirisena to hold a referendum on the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA).

Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said the Government was carrying out the economic policies of the United National Party (UNP), and the ETCA was the best example.

However, he said though Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had pledged to conclude it within the next couple of months, there was no proper document for public discussion in this regard.

“No one is aware of the contents of it. There is no final draft available,” he said

Yet, he said there was a strong opposition against the ETCA among professional groups and business leaders.

He said if it were to be signed, the damage would be permanent because no succeeding Government would be able to reverse an international treaty of this nature.

Against this backdrop, the former Minister said the President had the power in terms of Article 86 of the Constitution to refer any matter of public interest to a referendum. He said that the Article said that “the President may, subject to the provisions of Article 85, submit to the People by Referendum any matter which in the opinion of the President is of national importance.”