Sri Lanka Trade Consultation
Building Towards the Global Week of Action
"We need to address the harm that is being caused by current liberalisation and trade rules in our country. We have all been engaged in fighting for basic rights such as water, health, food and education for many years but how can we work together systematically within the GWA framework? How can we strengthen these activities and how can we co-ordinate together?"
Sarath Fernando, MONLAR
The third national trade consultation in Asia took place in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka on December 13-14, organised by MONLAR. Around 55 activists and key players in trade campaigns and social movements discussed priority issues and developed action plans for the Global Week of Action. It was the first time that different sectoral campaigns working on issues such as water, health, debt etc had had the opportunity to work together.
The overarching theme that emerged for the Week was, Resisting Liberalisation and Privatisation in Sri Lanka with the following specific demands:
- Yes to food security and an integrated policy for land, food, water and the environment.
- Yes to the protection of small-scale domestic producers (protection of their basic rights, and from policies of export orientation and commercialisation).
- Yes to the creation of alternatives for plantation workers.
- Yes to the right to a decent livelihood and full labour rights.
- No to private sector led development.
- No to surrendering sovereignty through agreeing to new debts and associated conditions – no new loans or the repayment of loans.
- No to privatisation of water.
- No to the co modification of health and education.
National and district level co-ordination committees were formed and it was agreed to hold smaller consultations at the district level and with different sectoral groups – fisherfolk, trade unions, ecumenical networks, farmers etc.
Given the recent tsunami that has devastated a large part of the country many of the plans maybe postponed or revised, however for many participants the themes that emerged around aid, debt and conditionality have become even more relevant in current circumstances.
Click here for a background briefing paper on the issues covered.
