ASHRAFF A SAMAD
COLOMBO : Tamil National Alliance,TNA, MP M.A. Sumanthiran told reporters on Wednesday, September 29, that the visiting EU delegation is currently is here to ascertain the viability of continuing to grant the GSP+ facility to Sri Lanka.
He pointed out that the EU has already taken a decision to halt the GSP+ facility to Sri Lanka in the wake of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) which is yet to be repealed.
” The PTA has not been repealed yet, but is being used even more than usual.” He said.
Sumanthiran said that discussions were held between the TNA and the EU delegation, at which the representatives took action to discuss the decision to withdraw the GSP+ facility.
During the first seven months of this year, 45% of garment exports to our region were made on tax concessions using the GSP concession granted to our country by the European Union.
However, in mid-June, the European Parliament passed a resolution to consider withdrawing the concession, expressing “deep concern” over the deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka.
A detailed report on this will be submitted to the European Parliament next year following the observations made by the five EU representatives who are currently in Sri Lanka.
” We all live in this country. We should not take decisions against our own people. However, the Government now takes decisions against their own people. That is why we are exerting this pressure on the Government to repeal the PTA. “
The delegation met with the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and representatives of several Parties yesterday (28).
Thereafter the delegation also met with the Minister of Justice Ali Sabry, SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem and the TNA Leader R. Sampanthan as well.
