President Anura Kumara Dissanayake convened a meeting with Party Leaders yesterday to address the implications of the recent U.S. reciprocal tariff system on the Sri Lankan economy. The discussion centered on potential frameworks for initiating bilateral dialogue with the United States and emphasized the urgent need for Sri Lanka to diversify its export markets in order to mitigate any adverse effects.
During the meeting, President Dissanayake presented the key findings of a Committee appointed to conduct a comprehensive study on the anticipated impact of the new U.S. tariff regime. The Committee has also submitted several recommendations to the Government. A detailed discussion followed, highlighting both the Committee’s findings and additional proposals submitted by opposition parties.
The recommendations from the Committee, along with input gathered during the meeting, will be consolidated and forwarded for further government deliberation.
This meeting was convened in response to a request by several opposition parliamentarians, who stressed the importance of a unified approach and direct engagement with the President on this critical issue.
Following the meeting, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva described the discussions as productive.
“Meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Trump Tariff successful. Common agreement that while we do everything to strengthen trade with world, immediate issue is to arrive at a HS Code-based bilateral trade deal with US. Two channels opened. We will support,” Dr. de Silva stated on social media.
The meeting saw participation from a broad spectrum of political parties, including Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa; MP Harsha de Silva (Samagi Jana Balawegaya); MP S. Rasamanickam (Tamil National Alliance); MP Ravi Karunanayake (New Democratic Front); MP D.V. Chanaka (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna); MPs Mano Ganesan and Palani Digambaram (Tamil Progressive Alliance); MP M.L.A.M. Hizbullah (Sri Lanka Muslim Congress); MP Rishad Bathiudeen (All Ceylon Makkal Congress); MP Dilith Jayaweera (Sarvajana Balaya Party); MP Jeevan Thondaman (United National Party); MP Dayasiri Jayasekara (Sri Lanka Freedom Party); and MP A. Archuna representing 17 Independent Groups.
Also in attendance were MPs Gayantha Karunathilaka, Kavinda Jayawardena, S.M. Marikkar, and Kader Masthan, who contributed to the extensive discussions.
