1. The Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Democratic Socialist the Republic of Sri Lanka had signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on the 28^th December 1998.
2. A meeting between the Commerce Secretary, Government of India and the Secretary, Treasury, Government of Sri Lanka was held on 2^nd February 2000 in New Delhi to operationalise the FTA. In the minutes signed on 2^nd February 2000 it was decided "both sides agreed that the Tea Boards of India and Sri Lanka should meet within a month and finalise issues such as method for allocation of quota, monitoring mechanism, authorised signatories for issue of Certificate of Origin and other related procedural matters." It was also decided "both sides agreed that the nodal agencies of India and Sri Lanka should meet within a month and finalise all issues including revised format of Certificate of Origin for export of Sri Lankan garments into India under the Agreement, authorised signatories for issue of Certificate of Origin and other related procedural matters so as to ensure immediate operationalisation of the quota mechanism."
3. Pursuant to the above decisions, delegations from the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka met in New Delhi on 18 – 19 April 2000. The Indian side was led by Mrs. Rathi Vinay Jha, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Sri Lankan side was led by Mr. A. Andrew De Silva, Secretary, Ministry of Plantation Industries. The composition of the two delegations is at Annexure – I.
4. During the inaugural meeting, two Sub-Committees were formed to finalise the arrangements for operationalisation of Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) exports of tea and garments under the FTA. The agreed minutes of the Sub-Committee on tea signed on 19^th April 2000 is at Annexure – II. The agreed minutes of the Sub-Committee on garments on 19^th April 2000 is at Annexure – III.
5. Both sides agreed to implement steps to bring these arrangements into effect at the earliest.

1. MRS. R.V.JHA, ADDITIONAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
2. MR. U.S.BHATIA, JOINT SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
3. MR. R.SHARMA, COMMISSIONER, CUSTOMS, MUMBAI
4. MR. P.K.KHERA, DY. COMMISSIONER, CUSTOMS, MUMBAI
5. MR. G.K.DIXIT, OSD TO MEMBER (CUSTOMS), DOR
6. MR. S.M.TATA, UNDER SECRETARY(TRU), DOR
7. MR. VIVEK JOHRI, DEPUTY SECRETARY (TRU), DOR
8. MR. K.KANNAN, RESIDENT DIRECTOR, UPASI
9. MR. N. RAMADURAI, SECRETARY GENERAL, UPASI
10. DR. H.N.DWIBEDI, TEA BOARD
11. MR. T.K.JAYARAMAN, COMMISSIONER, CUSTOMS, KOCHI
12. MR. A.K.RAHA, COMMISSIONER, CUSTOMS, CALCUTTA
13. MR. ATUL CHATURVEDI, JOINT SECRETARY (TEXTILES), MINISTRY OF TEXTILES
14. MR. P.C.JHA, JOINT SECRETARY (CUSTOMS), DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
15. MR. R.SWAMINATHAN, COUNSELLOR (E&C), HCI, COLOMBO
16. MR.J.AKHTAR,DEPUTYSECRETARY,DEPARTMENTOFCOMMERCE
17. MR.R.C.M.REDDY, SECRETARY, TEXTILES COMMITTEE, MUMBAI
18. MR. DEEPAK SHETI, ADDL. TEXTILE COMMISSIONER, MUMBAI
19. MR. K.K.JALAN, DIRECTOR, TEXTILES, MINISTRY OF TEXTILES
20. MR. A.K.KALA, TEA BOARD, DELHI
21. MR. P.K.MANDAL, CIO, TEXTILES
22. MR. R.S.RATNA,JOINT DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
23. MRS. G.SIDHU, ASST. DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

SRI LANKAN DELEGATION :-

1. MR. A. ANDREW DE SILVA, SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF PLANTATION INDUSTRIES
2. MR. PRASAD KARIYAWASAM, DHC, SLHC,NEW DELHI
3. MR.J.M.C.R. JAYASINGHE, ADDL. SECRETARY, MIN. OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
4. MR. J.M.U.JAYASEKERA, D.G., MIN. OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
5. MR. HASITHA de ALWIS, DIRECTOR, SRI LANKA TEA BOARD
6. DR. S. JAYANETTI, ECONOMIC ADVISER, DEPARTMENT OF FISCAL POLICY & ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, MINISTRY OF FINANCE & PLANNING
7. MRS. MANEL de SILVA, CONSUL GENERAL, SRI LANKA TRADE CONSULATE, MUMBAI
8. MR. SAMAN UDAGEDERA, DY. DIRECTOR, MINISTRY OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
9. MRS. YASOJA KANANGARA, SECOND SECRETARY, SRI LANKA HIGH COMMISSION, NEW DELHI