Sri Lanka, Aug. 3 -- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) presents an opportunity for Bay of Bengal nations like Sri Lanka to expand their trade, according to United National Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He stated that this would help Sri Lanka access ASEAN markets and the China-driven Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Wickremesinghe expressed these views at a discussion titled 'Lessons for the Indian Ocean from Singapore & East Asia'.

He emphasised the importance of the island nation becoming part of RCEP, the world's largest trade partnership.

"To me, the trading bloc is for the remaining Bay of Bengal countries to join with RCEP. It's not possible for us to create a trading bloc on our own," Wickremesinghe sai...