European Union (EU) Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) monitoring team who visited Sri Lanka to review the country progress in implementing the 27 international conventions applicable under the GSP+, concluded the visit.
On 19 May 2017 Sri Lanka regained access to the EU for its exports under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), on the condition that it replaces its PTA and effectively implements 27 international conventions, including human rights conventions. But, the Sri Lankan government failed to implement the international conventions and instead, they expanded the scope of the Prevention Of Terrorism Act (PTA) on 09 March 2021.
For more than a week, the EU team met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Justice Minister Ali Sabry, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Tamil politicians, human rights activists etc., The team also met EU Member States Ambassadors and UN agencies.
EU Ambassador Denis Chaibi said, “The effective implementation of international commitments forms the basis of Sri Lanka’s privileged access to the EU market. We have been working together with the Sri Lankan Government since 2015 to advance the issues of concern and welcome the continued engagement. The monitoring and engagement with the Government of Sri Lanka will be the subject of regular reports to the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.”
Recently, the European Union (EU) Parliament has adopted a resolution calling Sri Lanka to repeal the Prevention Of Terrorism Act (PTA). The resolution expresses deep concern over Sri Lanka’s alarming path towards the recurrence of grave human rights violations as described by the most recent UN report on Sri Lanka. It also expresses concern about the growing role and interference of China in Sri Lanka.
