Ranil replies to Mahinda on GSP Plus

13 January 2017 09:36 am - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Contradicting former president Mahinda Rajapaksa who said that Sri Lanka would have been better without the GSP Plus facility, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that it would help the country to capture a market with a population of 500 million.

He said Sri Lanka had earned US dollars 2,500 million from the export of apparel in 2003.

"Sri Lanka lost GSP Plus in 2015 and it had earned US dollars 4,800 million in 2015. However, Bangladesh, which enjoyed GSP Plus all along, had earned US dollars 26, 000 million in the same year.

"Bangladesh has no balance of payments problem but we do," he said.

The Prime Minister was addressing the beneficiaries of the Gajasamaragama Housing Scheme in Lunugamwehera yesterday. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 29

Raz Friday, 13 January 2017 02:04 PM

HA HA HA Wijitha Do you truly admit RW was that powerful at that time via DM Android App

mathan Friday, 13 January 2017 09:19 PM

Cost of living in Colombo is more than rural England! You can not manufacture ,ship and sell item in UK. UK online market prices are very cheap. It is same in the rest of EU. Better improve the local economy such as energy, fisheries, services and agriculture. Colombo is a good spot international services for Indian Sub continent. it is several time bigger than London!

concern Friday, 13 January 2017 08:51 PM

No one mention our productivity vs cost production in order to complete with the global market.

concern Friday, 13 January 2017 08:47 PM

Yes, wait until it has been approved. For now we don't know when.

concern Friday, 13 January 2017 08:42 PM

Very true.Our cost production is high and the new culture does not want to be factory worker or engage in manual labor.

Stephen Friday, 13 January 2017 07:59 PM

Mahinda should just give up on the power hunger already and retire!! It is very true if we compare ourselves with Bangladesh they are developing tremendously in comparison and mostly all clothing shops here in London are made from Bangladesh..Time to catch up now Bangladesh let the competition begin!!

TONY Friday, 13 January 2017 07:23 PM

SRI LANKANS DONT WORK HARD AND EARN THEY ALL WANT EVERY SINGLE THING FREE. LIKE FREE EDUCATION DUTY FREE VEHICLES, FREE UNIFORMS ETC. THIS IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BENEFIT FROM OUR EXPORTS WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT. BUT IT IS A GOOD ACHIEVEMENT

wathsala Friday, 13 January 2017 07:18 PM

Bangladesh has a population of 160 million roughly 8 times that of Sri Lanka. But Bangladesh's garment industry in 2015 has only generated about 5.4 times in revenue compared to that of Sri Lanka (26000 million to 4800 million USD). So in other words Sri Lanka has outperformed Bangladesh even without GSP . So within that context what's the point in having this trade concession which is also a well known as a tool that serves EU's political interests?

Sumal Friday, 13 January 2017 04:59 PM

quote of the day

susil Friday, 13 January 2017 04:44 PM

European countries are bankrupt, GSP not have much effect

Double Game player Friday, 13 January 2017 03:48 PM

People knows the truth of all whats happening in the country

Scientist Friday, 13 January 2017 03:29 PM

Correct, Bangladesh has cheap labor and there are people working just for a food pack. But when it comes to European market they consider all these factors and they never allow anything which manipulates or exploits human rights.

Dilip Friday, 13 January 2017 02:50 PM

Well said.

Dhammi Friday, 13 January 2017 02:30 PM

It could be for the people like you. But for most the of innocent and patriots, he is a hero.

Jonson Friday, 13 January 2017 02:09 PM

Dear all GSP is not approved yet still under consideration and racism issue is still going on. via DM Android App

Dammika Friday, 13 January 2017 10:25 AM

Mahinda is a joker

Eds Friday, 13 January 2017 01:27 PM

This economic policies are nothing new. This is the exact carbon copy of "regaining sri lanka" from 2002. Who is the joker now?

Eds Friday, 13 January 2017 01:24 PM

Well said. Thank you

patthaya Friday, 13 January 2017 12:59 PM

ANYWAY WE'VE SURVIVED WITHOUT GSP SO FAR.

Lasith Edirimuni Friday, 13 January 2017 12:47 PM

It was Ranil who went around the world critizicing MR's govt which ended up losing GSP. Now he talks like a hero. Pathetic.

Aveej Friday, 13 January 2017 12:24 PM

The point PM missed here was that Bangladesh has plenty of cheep labor; ex- machine operators working just for a wage of daily meals; so many investors (including Sri Lankan)move there; Here it is hard to find sewing machine operator even for 25,000LKR; probably our labour force has better alternatives such as become tuk-tuk owner

Kalpa Friday, 13 January 2017 12:22 PM

RW has turned SL as a China/European colony. We'll get not only GSP but something more in near future. Continue your dance as per their drum beat.

Vijitha Friday, 13 January 2017 11:58 AM

It was RW who complained to the EU against SL and got the GSP cancelled.

Raz Friday, 13 January 2017 11:26 AM

MR is an economist guided by GL. Please state openly in case of remotest possibility of you coming to power again what you will do with the hard earned GST via DM Android App

Casanova Friday, 13 January 2017 11:03 AM

What's the matter with Hon. Ranil? Can MR understand anything that RW said? It's like teaching an infant double maths.

ravin Friday, 13 January 2017 10:52 AM

Citizen had enough of this nonsense of political maneuvering. Leave a side playing games. We want prosper this country. Iron out all bullshit. Work together to betterment of mother Sri Lanka.

warra Friday, 13 January 2017 10:46 AM

Mahinda ran the country to the ground and tarnished yhe country's name. GSP is the best thing that happened to SL.

Saman Friday, 13 January 2017 10:45 AM

If our target is to be like Bangladesh, then bond scams and GSP are the right ways!

Johan Friday, 13 January 2017 10:34 AM

Yes Mahinda knows how to borrow not how to earn

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Ranil replies to Mahinda on GSP Plus

Comments - 29

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