Sri Lanka’s Role in the World Trade Organization

Abstract

As the key regulatory body of the international trading system, it is important to analyze Sri Lanka’s position and its role in the WTO system with regard to two aspects. First, to get an understanding about the country’s whole trade regime, its development and its direction. Second aspect is, as a founding member of the GATT and later the WTO, it is important to study about its evolution, achievements and its current position. Further, there are trading partners at bilateral, regional and global levels and scholars who are interested in this field who wish to know Sri Lanka’s current trading position or its role in the WTO. According to Sri Lanka’s trade and economic interests, NAMA, Agriculture, Trade Facilitation, Services, TRIPS, Rules and Aid for Trade are the most important areas as per priority in descending order. Within these areas Sri Lanka’s role in the WTO negotiations has been active.