National Executive Committee member of the People’s Struggle Alliance, Wasantha Mudalige has said that there are 500,000 unemployed doctors in India who would be able to find employment opportunities in Sri Lanka if the ETCA pact is signed.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo yesterday (Dec. 17), he said that the joint statement made during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India, has created a risk of Sri Lanka becoming an Indian colony.
“If Ranil Wickramasinghe’s political program had continued to be implemented, nothing could have prevented Sri Lanka from becoming an Indian colony. The National People’s Power swept into power as a result of the opposition raised against that agenda. Now, the NPP has a moral responsibility to defeat this agenda of Ranil Wickremesinghe. However, what we see is that the government is preparing to continue that program instead,” he said.
Indian Prime Minister Modi’s speech had made it clear that it was planned to sign the ETCA agreement in the future, he added.
“We have continuously clashed with the Ranil Wickremesinghe government because we perceived the negative consequences for the country that could result in such political dealings with India. The NPP too severely criticised the political agenda of Ranil Wickremesinghe. If the government is planning to sign the ETCA agreement with the Indian PM, we warn of its dire consequences,” he pointed out.
“Under the prevailing laws, it is not easy for foreign nationals to come work here. But under ETCA regulations, trade laws of goods and services would be eased. Currently, there are 500,000 unemployed doctors in India. If the ETCA pact is signed, it would enable them to come to Sri Lanka and work. We have no issue with Indian workers… But the labour rights of this country are fruits of a hard won battle won after decades of struggle. There is no room to betray these rights to another country,” he further said.
