Govt. Castigates EC In Sinhala But Goes Begging To Brussels For GSP

Government ministers and MPs in Parliamentary debates and on the election platforms excoriated the European Commission for temporarily abandoning the GSP+ facility given to garments and other industries in Sri Lanka. The European Commission had stated that they would reconsider granting the facility in another six months after a review of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka then. The facility was terminated due to human rights violations and media repression that exist in the island. The President said the sovereignty of the country would not be betrayed to get GSP+.

However, government sources now say four representatives from the government would be sent to Brussels as special envoys of the government on Monday to discuss with the European Commission regarding recommencement of the GSP+. The envoys of the government include Secretary of the Ministry of Finance P.B. Jayasundara, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Romesh Jayasinghe, Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Suhada Gamlath and Attorney General Mohan Peiris. Speaking at a press conference held yesterday Minister G.L. Peiris said the team of envoys is sent as the government expects to act cordially with the international community.   

The GSP+ is offered only when a state agrees to 27 conditions including good governance, protection of human rights and media freedom. Issuing an announcement on the 15th of February European Commission stated that GSP+ would be suspended for Sri Lanka temporarily due to violation of human rights. The suspension was to take place from August. However, European Commission had informed the government of Sri Lanka they would reconsider their decision if the government was prepared to solve issues that exist in the country with regard to human rights.

Sri Lanka gains an annual income of Euro 1.24 billion due to GSP+ tax relief to her products exported to Europe and cessation of this facility would result in a loss of a Euro 78 million tax benefit to Sri Lanka.