The delegation of members of the European Parliament (MEP) led by Jean Lambert arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday to explore Sri Lanka's progress on national reconciliation and its implementation of the international conventions applicable to GSP+ concession.
Addressing a news briefing held at the Embassy of the European Union (EU) in Colombo, Ms. Lambert said the higher-ups in the government assured in 2016 when they visited Sri Lanka that the PTA would be replaced with a legislature which is up to international Human Rights standards. She said only because the GSP+ concession was granted, it doesn’t mean that the recipient could sit back and relax.
The delegation is comprised of the Chair Ms Jean Lambert (UK), Vice-Chair Mr Richard Corbett (UK), Ms Ulrike Mueller (Germany) and Mr Wajid Khan (UK).
MEPs also clarified that a condition for the European Parliament not to oppose the granting of GSP+ was to follow closely the implementation of the 27 international conventions on human rights, good governance, labour rights and environment. The Chair encouraged the Government of Sri Lankan to pursue their deliberations on constitutional reform with a view to further strengthening the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and, of course, the process of national reconciliation. It was noted that a number of important issues remain pending, in particular the revision of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) on which the Prime Minister and other senior figures had given their personal assurances, the statement said. As well as MEPs also welcomed the establishment of the Office on Missing Persons, but were concerned that more progress had not been achieved on national reconciliation and accountability and encouraged the Government of Sri Lanka to step up efforts to achieve the ambitious goals to which it has committed.
Nishantha Priyadarshana
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