EU conditions not acceptable: Sri Lanka

Colombo, Jun 25: Sri Lankan government rejected the European Union (EU) demands for the extension of GSP and tariff concessions for the limited period.

Keheliya Rambukwella, the government spokesman said that Colombo rejected tariff concessions till July 1 issued by EU to agree to a number of other conditions to qualify for preferential trade tariffs.

He said that the conditions of EU are unacceptable and they are an insult to every citizen of the country. He added that they are going to put the EU demands in the dustbin.

Rambukwella also said that the scheme provided by EU will affect the internal security of the nation.

Foreign Minister GL Peiris also reiterated that the fifteen condition imposed by EU were not acceptable to Sri Lanka, as it is clearly inconsistent with Sri Lanka's sovereignty.

European Commission, the EU's executive arm has suggested for "significant improvements on the effective implementation of the human rights conventions" for Lanka to continue enjoying the trade benefits. The EU trade scheme gives 16 poor nations preferential access to the vast European market in return for following strict commitments on a variety of social and rights issues.

Sri Lanka had denounced the appointment of 3-member panel by United Nations General Ban Ki-moon, a day before. The panel was appointed to advice him on the matters regarding the accountability and alleged human rights violations in the last phase of war between Lanka and LTTE.

oneIndia News