Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called on the European Commission to continue to provide relief to Sri Lanka, which is at risk of losing its GSP + status due to the implementation of the Anti-Humanitarian and Anti-Terrorism Act.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa made the request during a meeting with a high-level foreign delegation in Sri Lanka to investigate whether the Sri Lankan government’s human rights record is conducive to further tax concessions to European exports.
When the Foreign Mission inquired about the areas where the government was being accused of human rights violations, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya called on the government to support it.
The European Commission (EC) representatives focused on the protection of human rights, the expansion of democratic spaces for the people, the devolution of the legislature / judiciary and the executive, and the Leader of the Opposition. It is important to intervene to direct, ”said Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa in a statement.
In mid-June, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of GSP + tax relief as well as anti-terrorism assistance to Sri Lanka if promises to protect human rights, including the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, are not fulfilled.
Accordingly, the Special Mission of the European Union arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday the 27th to study human rights practices in Sri Lanka.
They will stay in Sri Lanka until October 5 to meet with representatives of government, political parties, trade unions, civil society, employers and the United Nations.
Prior to meeting the Leader of the Opposition, the group had met with the Minister of Justice, as well as representatives of the Tamil and Muslim communities.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has told European delegates that the GSP + concession is a great strength to Sri Lanka and that he is grateful for the financial assistance provided to Sri Lanka by the European Commission, GSP Plus concessions and international concessions.
Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa said that he was unconditionally fulfilling his responsibilities as a people’s opposition and that he was committed to safeguarding human rights, intervening for democracy, fighting for media freedom and upholding the rule of law. It has been said there.
The Leader of the Opposition Lakshman Kiriella, Treasurer of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Harsha de Silva, Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition Ravi Jayawardena and others were also present at the occasion, the Leader of the Opposition’s Office said.