Sri Lanka : the dumping ground of Asia

Colombo (News 1st) -  The FTA signed by Sri Lanka with Singapore continues to attract concern and controversy both at the same time. Experts have expressed concern that the ramifications of some aspects of this agreement have far-reaching and detrimental effects for the people of Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe claims that the Singapore FTA "does not in anyway affect the status quo." He claims questioned if the Pakistan FTA is good enough for the previous Government why is the Singapore FTA any different. The Premier claims that the same language had been used in both FTAs.

The question arises whether the Prime Minister, Minister Malik Samarawickrama and whoever is involved in this FTA, are aware of these facts?

According to the Business Time of Singapore in its August 18th Edition, Singapore is a nation of plastic. 01. 467 million Platic Bottles used in Singapore each year, which translates to 94 Olympic size swimming pools. 02. Singapore also uses 820 million Plastic Bags - this translates to a land area equivalent to 126 Gardens by the Bay. 03. Singapore also used 473 Million Plastic Containers - this is equivalent to the land mass of three Sentosa Islands. The Former Director General of Commerce Gomie Senadheera, who has extensive experience in the negotiations of FTA's, appearing on the Newline program on Friday (Aug 24th) warned of serious consequences for Sri Lanka if the situation is not arrested immediately. Senadheera was responding to claims by national list MP and current Cabinet Minister as well as Former UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrama, that there was no reason for alarm. However, Mr. Senadheera went on to flag the possible consequences to Sri Lanka in terms of importing garbage when China has already imposed a ban on the import of garbage for disposal citing serious concerns. Is this really and truly what our Sri Lanka has been reduced to - to deal with somebody else's garbage which may be hazardous and radioactive. ? It is clear if the Ministers of this government cannot fulfill the tasks assigned to them, the only option left would be to resign and leave.