The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Y.K. Sinha told reporters in Kandy today that the ECTA deal was proposed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe when he visited India last September.

He said that India has been given only the outline of the agreement and proper negotiations have not yet commenced.

Opposition political parties in Sri Lanka have raised concerns about the agreement saying it will not benefit Sri Lanka.

Sinha however assured that his Government will work with Sri Lanka to ensure any agreement reached will benefit the people of both countries.

The High Commissioner also recalled the assistance India has given Sri Lanka and stressed that India is keen to assist Sri Lanka in any way possible.

(colombogazette.com)