Lanka India trade pact won't hamper local professionals: govt

COLOMBO: The proposed Indo-Sri Lanka economic trade pact will not affect local professionals as it does not include the movement of natural persons, deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva said today.

Allaying fears of local professional groups, particularly doctors, who have expressed concerns over loss of opportunities if the Indo-Sri Lanka Economic and Technology Corporation Framework Agreement (ETCFA) is signed, Silva said false reports regarding the pact were misleading the people.

"Please do not mislead with false statements as there is no movement of natural persons under proposed Indo-Lanka economic pact," Silva said.

Speaking at a press briefing, Silva asserted there was no point of holding union actions with regard to these types of false reports.

"An Indian doctor, lawyer, engineer or any other professional can't just come here and open a dispensary, law firm or any other thing to deliver their services here," he said.

Under the ETCFA, initially only two sectors of Information Technology and Shipbuilding Marine Industry will be opened for trading under this pact.

"Let's say, there may be a necessity for getting professionals to repair ships. So that kind of thing can happen," Silva said.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has already invited his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to visit Sri Lanka to sign the pact next year.

Professional groups have expressed concerns over loss of opportunities in the Island nation after the signing of the pact.

Prominent among them are the doctors trade union. They have vowed to resort to industrial action next year over ETCFA among other issues.

Silva said under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATs), services could be traded internationally in four different ways, known as the four modes.

He said since Sri Lanka had already allowed the first 3 modes, the question was about Mode 4 (movement of natural persons).

Silva, however, said the Mode 4 did not exist in the ETCFA.

"There is no movement of natural persons in this agreement. No Indian hair dresser can simply come here and open saloons," Silva said.