## Harsha de Silva Urges Deeper India-Lanka Economic Ties 📈

Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has criticized successive governments for "decades of missed opportunities" in failing to integrate Sri Lanka’s economy with India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy. • Key Policy Concerns ECTA Stagnation: Highlighted the zero progress on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) over the last 1.5 years. Diplomatic Gaps: Noted that ECTA has been notably absent from official statements during recent high-level bilateral visits by the President and Prime Minister. Economic Cost: Argued that "policy inertia" has led to a colossal waste of time and lost employment opportunities for thousands of youth. • Sectoral & Strategic Focus Integration: Stressed that closer ties with India are vital as it consolidates its global status. Diversification: Warned against "policy paralysis" caused by nationalist backlash, citing previous successes like the #1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service despite initial resistance. Foreign Investment: India remains a critical partner, accounting for approximately 40-50% of total FDI inflows (including global subsidiaries) as of 2025. • Economic Context Based on provisional data, Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to grow by 4-5% in 2026. Dr. de Silva argues that without formal trade upgrades like ECTA, the country risks further stagnation despite regional growth.