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  1. Negotiations

Sri Lanka


Sri Lanka has preferential and free trade agreements with India, Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, Singapore and Israel. It is currently in the processing of upgrading its agreement with India to a much more comprehensive one.

Sri Lanka is also party to SAFTA, the agreement on a South Asia Free Trade Area, as well as BIMSTEC, which aims to hammer out a regional FTA.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Sri Lankan engineers' association

See also
Joint feasibility study on FTA with Bangladesh
10-Sep-2018     Daily FT
Next round of negotiations on Thai FTA in two weeks. Joint feasibility study on FTA with Bangladesh to be implemented soon.
Singapore FTA – Other than garbage
3-Sep-2018     The Island
The rationality behind the Singapore-Sri Lanka FTA is still undiscovered.
“Malik does not know the basics of the Singapore FTA” – Association of IT Professionals
3-Aug-2018     Newsfirst
The Association of IT Professionals convened a press briefing in Colombo regarding the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in which they stated it appears Member of Parliament Malik Samarawikrama is not versed on the agreement and that they themselves showed the Minister the clause regarding manpower.
Malaysia calls for Sri Lanka FTA
31-Jul-2018     Daily Mirror
Malaysia has expressed its strong interest in moving forward on the free trade agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka that was initially contemplated in 2013, a communiqué from Sri Lanka’s Industry and Commerce Ministry said yesterday.
China unresponsive over FTA talks with Sri Lanka
19-Jul-2018     Nikkei Asian Review
Beijing possibly hoping for a return to power of the Rajapaksa clan.
Sri Lanka to begin FTA talks, strategic economic partnership as Thailand PM visits
10-Jul-2018     Economy Next
Sri Lanka is expecting to ink a deal on a strategic economic partnership with Thailand on July 12, including initial talks on a free trade agreement.
The need to rethink free trade agreements
26-Jun-2018     The Island
Sri Lankan public has not heard of most of the FTAs that the country has entered into, let alone the harm or benefit they might get.
Sri Lanka-Singapore FTA challenged in Supreme Court
18-Jun-2018     Daily Mirror
President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardane impugned before the Supreme Court that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Sri Lanka has entered into with Singapore is inimical to the interests of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka–Singapore FTA: An agreement between a giant and a child
14-Jun-2018     Daily Mirror
The trade deal between Singapore and Sri Lanka is not seen that of 'equals' to create economic relations. The difference is not pertaining to their respective economic powers but their legal and regulatory frameworks.
China- Sri Lanka FTA talks not stalled: Secretary
12-Jun-2018     Sunday Observer
Secretary to the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, Chandani Wijewardana last week refuted reports that discussions between Sri Lanka and China on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) had come to a standstill.