MP Ravi Karunanayake has urged the government to seek special tariff concessions from the United States, emphasizing that other Asian nations, including Bangladesh, have already secured such agreements under the U.S.’s new foreign policy.
Speaking in Parliament, the former UNP Deputy Leader stressed the importance of negotiating a long-term trade deal—lasting 10 to 15 years—to aid Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. He highlighted that such an agreement would be crucial for the garment industry, which directly employs around 1.25 million people.
Karunanayake questioned the government’s approach, arguing that securing preferential trade terms with the U.S. could provide a much-needed boost to the country’s export sector and overall financial stability.
