Recently, there was a dialogue arose in the European Union that the GSP + concession given to Sri Lanka should not be granted. It focuses on human rights violations in the country.
With this decision in the European Union, various parties began to talk about the possible impact on Sri Lanka if this concession is lost. The government is preparing to review the Prevention of Terrorism Act due to the situation that arose.
The Ministry of External Affairs has immediately informed the European Union , pointing out the steps that Sri Lanka has taken so far in regard reconciliation.
Accordingly, the EU has been informed of the decision taken by the Cabinet on 21st June to appoint a Cabinet Sub-Committee to review the Prevention of Terrorism Act and to submit a report to the Cabinet within three months. The Committee of Officers has been appointed by the Government with the senior representatives of the Ministries of Justice, Defense, Foreign Affairs, Public Security, the Attorney General’s Department, the Legal Department, the Sri Lanka Police and the Headquarters of the National Intelligence Service.
The Ministry of External Affairs further informed the European Union that the President had exercised his powers under Article 34 of the Constitution and on June 24 granted amnesty to 16 former LTTE cadres convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. An announcement was also made by foreign ministry in this regard.
-Shani-