Lobbying for GSP+:

Constructive engagement with EC - Prof. Peiris

by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

The European Commission has to accept the fact that Sri Lanka is now going through a totally different phase after being liberated from LTTE terror, said Export Development and International Trade Minister and Post and Telecommunications Acting Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer on gaining GSP Plus tax relief to Sri Lanka for a further period, the Minister said that by now Sri Lanka has amply complied with all trade-related requirements. "We have been given full credit for the ethical conditions in our garment factories. Sir Stout Rolls, Executive Chairman of Marks and Spencer, who recently visited the Brandix and Mas Factories in Seeduwa and Thulhiriya, said these factories were among the best he has visited."Employees who work in these factories have been provided with such essential facilities as air-conditioning and shopping facilities within the factory premises along with training. Our garment factories conform to international environmental standards. Some of them had in fact won international recognition as well as awards on environmental conservation".

"In some factories there had been a 40 per cent saving in electricity and a 50 per cent saving in the consumption of potable water," he said.

The Minister said the structure of the GSP Plus agreement between the Sri Lankan Government and the European Commission was based on trade-related elements as well as human rights related elements.

The European Commission has requested permission to visit Sri Lanka to observe the human rights situation in the country. Sri Lanka will however never give in to investigations by any foreign country or institution to obtain GSP Plus tax relief, the Minister said.

He further said that foreigners would not be allowed to interfere with Sri Lanka's sovereignty.GSP Plus was obtained in the early part of 2005. The facility had given 7100 items from Sri Lanka duty-free entry to 27 European Union Countries.The Minister said that the Government has informed the European Commission that it is prepared to discuss any issues relating to GSP Plus.

"Our Ambassador in Brussels Ravinatha Aryasinha has been instructed to engage with the European Commission", the Minister said.Sri Lanka is today in a new position after eradicating LTTE terrorism, which the European Commission has to take note of. This is a singular achievement of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Today it is total departure from the circumstances we had when dealing with terrorists. Now Sri Lanka is engaged in the task of rehabilitation, resettlement and reconstruction of its Northern and Eastern parts.

Northern and Eastern people who lived under the ruthless LTTE terrorists for more than two decades now have the opportunity of building their own lives on a stable foundation. Today Sri Lanka has concentrated its efforts on the issue of Internally Displaced People. The IDP issue is tremendously complex. Sri Lanka had repeatedly pointed out to the European Commission the necessity of taking into account the complexity and magnitude of this problem. That is why there have to be empathy and understanding on the part of the European Commission rather than being judgemental, the minister said.

"The Sri Lankan Government has a very clear plan. First comes the humanitarian issue of the IDPs such as provision of food, water and other requirements for them. We have to clear all the landmines before their resettlement.

"Restoration of their livelihood is the next requirement. The Economy of the East and North must be revived. The Government is clearly addressing these issues," Prof. Peiris said.