-By Economic Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -10.April.2025, 11.20 PM) In a development that has sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka’s boardrooms and boardings schools alike, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake convened an urgent high-level meeting with political party leaders to tackle what many are calling the “Trump Thump” — a 44% tariff on Sri Lankan exports slapped by the ever-unpredictable 45th and now again 47th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.
Among those in attendance: the ever-eloquent Ravi Karunanayake, the reliably opinionated Arjuna from Jaffna prommised to Tamil Diaspora investment, the never-shy Dilith Jayaweera wish see a continue discusiions on tarriffs , and of course, the perennial parliamentarian Rasamannikkam, who brought along economic insights and reminding GSP plus has a expiry date soon. The Muslim Congress’ Hizbullah added gravitas (and a touch of mystery), while Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa offered his exconomics knowledge in Tarrifs, which he excelled in the London School of Economics with a fake degree.
President Anura, visibly unfazed (perhaps buffered by his philosophical Marxist calm), assured the gathering that “immediate steps” had been taken. These included a “direct communication” with President Trump (via tweet? DM? Morse code remains unclear), and “close engagement” with the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, which reportedly responded with a polite but noncommittal smile and a brochure on American values.
Dr. Harsha de Silva, Sri Lanka’s economic conscience and occasional Cassandra, reminded everyone of the still-languishing SEPA agreement with India, which could allow for 8 million apparel units to find a happier home across the Palk Strait. “We need an HS Code-based trade framework, a bilateral path forward, and a modern export strategy,” Harsha declared, while glancing meaningfully at a stack of WTO reports nobody else had read.
He also issued a caution: the EU’s GSP+ concessions are up for review next year. “This is not a drill,” Harsha said, possibly to a room that thought GSP+ was a new Samsung phone.
Meanwhile, President Anura revealed that his government was actively seeking to diversify exports. “We are looking at non-traditional goods,” he said, though refrained from clarifying whether that meant AI-powered cinnamon, smart coconuts, or artisanal GDP.
The President rejected accusations that his government had been caught napping. “We knew the U.S. would tax something. We just didn’t know what, when, or how much. That’s geopolitics,” he offered with a shrug that could power a small wind turbine.
In his most stirring bureaucratic flourish yet, the President announced monthly meetings with export development authorities. “We are not waiting,” he proclaimed, “we are strategizing.” Observers confirm that a multi-tiered, 12-point, vision-aligned, stakeholder-inclusive task force is currently being assembled, though one source admitted, “It’s mostly on PowerPoint right now.”
The good news? Trump’s 44% tariff shock comes with a 90-day grace period—enough time, according to insiders, to either negotiate a breakthrough or invent a time machine. Sri Lanka is also preparing to send a delegation to Washington, tasked with persuasion, diplomacy, and possibly cricket metaphors.
In short, while the export crisis looms large, the government has promised that all hands are on deck—except those attending seminars, those writing think pieces, and the few quietly googling “How to pivot to digital nomad economy.”
Until then, exporters are advised to hold their breath, pray for bilateralism, and keep their shirts—because shirts, it turns out, now cost 44% more to sell in the Land of the Free.
--By Economic Correspondent
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by (2025-04-10 18:11:54)
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