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Dear Editor,
I wrote an article to the previous digital SLEN on the above nationally important matter. Thank you for publishing. My attempt was to start a dialog (Read, Sri Lanka / India CEPA - It matters to us as Citizens and Engineers)
A dialog on this has already begun in our digital forum, Ask an Engineer and I think members of all categories should participate in it.
Most of us focus on this subject as if it's related to "goods trade" between the two countries. It is not the case as it covers services, investments and migration of "natural persons" ( not just professionals, but, citizens of the two countries).
The "current" efforts by many professional bodies ( I cannot comment on political dialogs and agendas) are not to "stop" CEPA between India and Sri Lanka. Professionals who are now getting into this important subject, want a national discussion with the GoSL to make any agreement transparent and to ensure citizens views are considered during policy formulation. That is the "right practice" in the democratic world in which Sri Lanka is a member. Our governments ( not a particular party) past practices regards to these matters in general have been private lobbying or not so transparent decision making. This got to stop. We as citizens and more importantly as professionals should be enlightened and educate the others for a progressive Sri Lanka. At the same time, help the country's elected government to do "right things."
Eng. Arjuna Manamperi
M-2062
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