Govt. gives the nod to 58 EU conditions to regain GSP+ facility ‘Adverse and detrimental to the interests of Sri Lanka
Posted on January 14th, 2017
Courtesy The Island
January 14, 2017, 7:42 pm
The government has agreed to comply with 58 European Union (EU) conditions, which high-ranking sources in Colombo described as “adverse and detrimental to the interests of Sri Lanka” to regain the GSP+ facility.
On deciding to accommodate the stipulated conditions, moves are now underway to officially inform the EU that the Sri Lanka government is prepared to implement them in return for the restoration of the duty free concession, the sources asserted.
Amongst the conditions laid down by the EU are the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and to introduce in its place new legislation which should be reviewed and drafted in terms of international standards, wind up all court cases against detainees in custody, end the rehabilitation of LTTE combatants, introduce amendments to the criminal law to accommodate the rights of these detainees, review the Public Security Act, establish a separate office for missing persons, introduce a new human rights action plan (2017-2021), review the situation on Tamil organizations and individuals listed as terrorist outfits. (The government has informed the EU that it hopes to de-list 86 persons and eight organizations based on investigations conducted).
As part of the conditions, the EU has also demanded that court cases relating to corruption charges handled by the FCID, Attorney General’s Department and Bribery Commission be expedited and a new action plan be introduced by the Bribery Commission to tackle bribery and corruption.
The EU also wants issues such as the decentralization of power to the provinces be considered under the proposed new Constitution in addition to electoral reforms, amendments to the Land Act, increase in the number of Tamil-speaking women police personnel, ensuring at least 25% female representation in parliament and stipulation by law the marraigeable age under Muslim law (A Cabinet sub committee has already been appointed in this regard).
The government has given its consent to comply with these conditions and keep the EU informed of the progress in their implementation, these sources claimed.
January 14th, 2017 at 4:13 pm
Indeed, these 58 CONDITIONS IMPINGE ADVERSELY on Sri Lanka’s National Sovereignty!
At a time of Brexit and Trump-Exit, and pending referendums in many EU countries to take back their National Sovereignty, we are GIVING UP our Sovetreignty for GSP+??
Is Avamangala Samaraweera and the Yamapalanaya ABSOLUTELY CRAZY??
Tell the EU to stick their GSP+ where the SUN DOESN’T SHINE!
That is what MR recommended!
January 15th, 2017 at 6:01 am
Trade Deals are being used to control and take over and even divide various small &/or dependent countries.
Such Deals are NO GOOD, and not worth the paper they are written on.
GSP+ appears to be such a deal.
By the way, what are these adverse 58 conditions to be met to get a dubious GSP + which may be withdrawn if Lanka does not play ball for eons to come ?
Let the People of Lanka know the 58 conditions and let them decide.
The trumped up 1983 Riots were done to enable nearly a million Tamil folk to go abroad as Refugees ! No one questions the then Tamil leaders killer Vadukoddai Resolution of 1976 that formed the LTTE which was trained by INDIA in Tamil Nadu and went on a vast killing/destructive spree for nearly 30 yrs. No foreign country questions these matters, or the Tamil Caste structure in Tamil Nadu with over 15 Million Dalit Tamil folk with caste written into their birth certificates & INDIAN Census.
Now, GSP+ is being used to split up Lanka.
Lanka and other dependent countries must NEVER compromise their Sovereignity and other aspects too important to throw away to suit foreign powers.