The controversial Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will be prominent in India-Sri Lanka talks when Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa visits India on June 8.
Minister of Mass Media and Communication Keheliya Rambukwella told reporters in Colombo that the issue would figure during official talks before the agreement could be signed by the end of this year.
He, however, said the Government was determined to provide an opportunity to the business community, industrialists, investors, importers and exporters, and even consumers to air their views on the CEPA and other agreements before they are signed.
Rajapaksa has maintained any bilateral agreement should have equal benefits to Sri Lanka and India.However, some domestic groups in Sri Lanka argue that CEPA benefits the neighbouring country more and would adversely affect domestic businesses here.
CEPA was expected to be signed two years back during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Colombo for the SAARC summit. It was, however, shelved at the last moment due to opposition from Sri Lankan business community, which feared that the island could be dominated by cheaper and skilled Indian services at the expense of the domestic industry.
Last month again protesters including doctors and engineers, took to streets and sought assurance from Rajapaksa that he would not sign CEPA with India during his visit in June to New Delhi.
Rajapaksa assured them that he would not ink any agreement that would have adverse impact on Sri Lanka. The government website yesterday quoted the President saying that CEPA agreement will 'probably' be signed at the end of 2010 only after their suggestions and ideas are evaluated and incorporated in the agreement.