AITP reveals lies of Malik Samarawickrama on Movement of Natural Persons in Singapore FTA

The Chairman

Presidential Committee of Experts to Evaluate Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement

Dear Sir,

Liberalization of Movement of Natural Persons (Mode-4) by SSLFTA

Since MODSIT is misleading the cabinet, the parliament, and public with regard to service liberalization of SSLFTA, it is very important to reveal the accurate legal background by the Presidential Committee of Experts to Evaluate Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement as the dialog on the proposed FTAs including ETCA are also depend on how the presidential committee of experts presents the truth.

This document is prepared to elaborate the following four important facts about the service liberalization of SSLFTA.

1.  Intra-Cooperate Transferees (ICT) is an integral part of global discussions and disputes on Movement of Natural Persons.
2.   “The employees can enter to Sri Lanka with an investment only” is not true.
3.  The “specialists” who can enter under intra-corporate transferees covers a wide range of employees.
4. The proposed Immigration and Emigrant Act is sidelining the Sri Lankans in the Sri Lankan job market.

The following two matters which are also important has not been covered by this document but has been covered by the submission of Professionals National Front named - “Outdated theories, Abused Process, Injurious Outcome”.

1. Foreign Man-Power companies are allowed to establish in Sri Lanka which will allow foreigners to bring foreigners to the country in other countries such as India, China, Bangladesh…etc.
2. Provided that no single product of Sri Lanka has been benefited by SSLFTA, no single benefit has been obtained for the service sector of Sri Lanka as well.

 Lasantha Wickramasinghe
Secretary- Association of IT Professionals

See the submission in the following link:

Liberalization of Movement of Natural Persons (Mode 4) by SSLFTA