Sri Lanka expects to make certain amendments to Singapore FTA: President

Jan 25, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s President has discussed with the Prime Minister of Singapore that the Sri Lankan side is expecting to make certain amendments to the Free Trade Agreement signed between the two countries. President Maithripala Sirisena who is on a two-day official visit to Singapore held bilateral discussions with Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong today. Referring to the FTA, President has said that while drafting it certain weaknesses were evident from the Sri Lankan side and has emphasized the importance of working towards that in the future. The full statement published by the President's Media Division is reproduced below. President holds discussions with Prime Minister of Singapore President Maithripala Sirisena who is on a two day official visit to Singapore held bilateral discussions with Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Lee Hsien Loong today(25th). The two leaders agreed to further strengthen trade, tourism, and industrial relations between the two countries during this meeting. President Sirisena, referred to the Free Trade Agreement signed between Singapore and Sri Lanka said that while drafting it certain weaknesses were evident from the Sri Lankan side and it is expected to make certain amendments. President Sirisena emphasized the importance of working towards that in the future. The threat of drugs which is a main challenge not only to Sri Lanka but also to the entire region and Singapore Prime Minister referring to the steps taken under the leadership of President Sirisena against drug trafficking in Sri Lanka and extended the fullest support of the Government of Singapore to the drug eradication programmes. A number of Sri Lankans are engaged in different professions in various fields in Singapore and the President was thankful for the Prime Minister of Singapore for the support given by his Government for the Sri Lankans who are employed in that country and the welfare of the Sri Lankan students engaged in higher education. Meanwhile the Minister of Environment of Estonia and the fourth chairmen of United Nations Environmental Summit Slim Kiisler met the President and held discussions. The Minister appreciated the program of the Sri Lankan government through the guidance of President Sirisena to ensure sustainable development of the country by preserving the environment.

President Sirisena has set a model to the world on environmental conservation. He was grateful for the suggestions made by the President Sirisena at the Forum today. Expressing his gratitude, Minister said that the proposals would be of internationally significance. In addition, he was also invited by the President to attend the United Nations Environment Program in Nairobi next March. The President appreciated the support given by the United Nations to Sri Lanka at the time of protecting environment and in the face of challenges that arise from climatic changes. The President briefed the Minister on the strict rules and regulations of the Sri Lankan government to protect the environment and the program of the Sri Lankan government for the preservation of the environment and the assistance of the armed forces for the protection of the environment.

Attention was drawn to developing existing bilateral ties between Estonia and Sri Lanka in new fields.