Is CEPA for good?

Shirley Wanniarachchi

The attention of the public was focused in May on a protest against the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Following the protest President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured that he would never enter into any agreement which will be harmful to the people.

The protest was proceeded by several media reports for and against CEPA. Prof. Samarajiwa in one article published in the media said that “In contrast our lawyers are pretty rusty. They face no competition and many have little familiarity with modern legal skills. Like any protected industry, the legal profession sells substandard services for higher prices and screams for protection”.

Stating so, the writer has not only undermined and defamed the lawyers in the country but has also undermined and defamed all the judges of the Supreme Court, Primary Courts, members of the Bar, the Attorney General and all the lawyers attached to the Attorney General’s Department.

Is Prof. Samarajiwa claiming to be an attorney-at-law himself suggesting that Indian lawyers are superior to our lawyers? He is suggesting that permitting them to commence their professional work in our country under the CEPA is a blessing to the country.

Unfortunately, the authorities dealing with the CEPA agreement have not divulged the contents of the agreement to the public or to any other professional body so far. It is strange to note that only the people like Prof. Samarajiwa who are vehemently supporting the CEPA agreement appear to have a thorough knowledge on its contents.

Prof. Samarajiwa having commented on the lawyers of this country also said the Indian doctors are more superior and brilliant than our medical professionals.