KANDY – Dr. Shashi Tharoor of India’s Lok Sabha said that IIFA and the CEPA agreement between Sri Lanka and India would be of immense benefit to Sri Lanka after three decades of conflict.

Speaking to the media in Kandy, during his courtesy call on the Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa on Sunday, (06) Dr. Tharoor said that he agreed with President Mahinda Rajapaksa that those who criticised the CEPA agreement were those who did not know the document.

"The draft is not seen by the people. Once they come to know the draft of the agreement they will see its merits," Dr. Tharoor said.

"The Free Trade Agreement of 2000 between Sri Lanka and India is an example. At the start of the agreement, in the first year Sri Lanka’s export earning was 45 million US dollars and within seven years it rose to 500 million US Dollars," Dr. Tharoor said.

Sri Lanka could pick up its economy as there is peace in the country, and peace would prevail with a political solution to the Tamil people in the country, he said.

Speaking of the benefits from the IIFA festival D. Tharoor said that the event opened an opportunity for the arrival of foreign tourists and businessmen and Sri Lanka would enjoy the prospects of economic development.

These programmes are essential in the present context of Sri Lanka which is making an attempt at economic development under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa he added.

Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Secretary to the Governor Gamini Dassanayaka and Vice President Business Development Wizcraft, India Wiz Simon Caszo were present.