Sri Lank strongly condemn the move of EU saying it is unfair. The member states of the European Union decided to suspend trade preferences for Sri Lanka because of violations of human-rights agreements. It is said that the suspension comes into effect six months from now and preferences could still be reinstated if, at the European Commission’s suggestion, a qualified majority of member states so chose.
Experts believe that if the suspension comes into force then Sir Lanka’s exporters – primarily in the textile industry – will face tens of millions of euros in additional duties annually. It is said that the member states suspend the preferential trade terms after a Commission report published in October found “significant shortcomings” in Sri Lanka’s compliance with its human-rights commitments under the scheme, known as the GSP+ regime.
According to Sri Lankan officials the suspension is unfair because it refers to the situation on the ground when the country was at war against Tamil insurgents. The GSP+ gives 16 developing countries access to EU markets with preferential conditions in return for implementing international conventions on human rights, labour standards, sustainable development and good governance.
