The Island 15-06-2016 ETCA, fishing dispute, security etc on the agenda Confab on Indo-Lanka relations June 15, 2016, 7:34 am by Shamindra Ferdinando Against the backdrop of a section of influential professionals led by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) stepping up protests against proposed Indo-Lanka Economic and Technology Cooperative Agreement (ETCA), several contentious issues are to be addressed at a conference on 'India-Sri Lanka relations in the 21st Century' scheduled to be held tomorrow (June 16) at BCIS auditorium, BMICH. Engineers yesterday launched a petition at the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau (CECB) head office against the ETCA in support of the on-going campaign. Indian High Commissioner Y. K. Sinha will deliver the opening remarks before the commencement of the first session which will focus on politics, diplomacy and security. Sri Lanka's former High Commissioner in New Delhi Prof. Sudarshan Senevirathne, Dr. Nirmala Chandrahasan, a law academic and former head of the Law Faculty (University of Colombo) and Dr. Tilak Siyambalapitiya will discuss Indo-Lanka relations, Sri Lanka's maritime jurisdiction in the Indian Ocean and Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu and power sector projects, respectively. The second session will deal with Sri Lanka Trade and Investment in a time of crisis (Ahilan Kadirgamar), Indo-Lanka trade and investments (Deshal de Mel) and fishing dispute (Dr Steeve Creech). Sri Lanka and India haven't been able to resolve the fishing dispute with the former seeking an end to continuing organised poaching by Indians. The conference is held amidst a simmering battle between the Joint Opposition and the government and some professional bodies over ETCA as well as the proposed Indian ambulance service which the GMOA claims is inimical to the country’s interests. Indian HC Sinha is expected to reiterate New Delhi's Sri Lanka policy. Chinese Ambassador in Colombo Yi Xianliang on June 6 explained Beijing's position on several matters of significance, including trade and Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) intervention here. The Chinese position was reiterated at a lecture delivered by Ambassador Xianliang at the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS). http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=146951