Trump Tariff Turmoil

Yesterday’s discussion party leaders’ had with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake  on the new US tariff policy and its impact on Sri Lanka’s economy, ended with their agreement to have another round of talks and consider the recommendations made by a committee appointed by the President.

The meeting convened by President Dissanayake was held at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss ways and means of mitigating the impact of the new US tariff regime on Sri Lanka. President Donald Trump has suspended his new tariffs for three months.

President Dissanayake called the meeting following a request from a group of opposition MPs who emphasised the need for a discussion on the matter.

During the meeting, the President briefed the party leaders on the findings of the committee appointed to study the impact of the new US tariff policy and the measures taken by the government so far. Extensive discussions were held on the committee’s recommendations and the proposals presented by the opposition parties.

The meeting also addressed strategies for diversifying export destinations and formulating proposals for discussions with the US government.

The party leaders agreed to consider the committee’s recommendations and the opposition’s proposals at further discussions.

Among those who attended yesterday’s meeting were Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, MPs Harsha de Silva, S. Rasamanickam, Ravi Karunanayake, D.V. Chanaka, Mano Ganesan, Palani Digambaram, M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, Rishad Bathiudeen, Dilith Jayaweera, Jeevan Thondaman, Dayasiri Jayasekara, and A. Archuna.

MPs Gayantha Karunatileka, Kavinda Jayawardena, S. M. Marikkar, and Kader Masthan also participated in the discussions.