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Repealing PTA: EU says disappointed over slow progress

2 November 2017 07:21 pm - 9     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The visiting four-member delegation of the European Parliament today expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to execute the assurance given last year to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a requirement for granting GSP+.

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.

“We were told ‘it will be done’. We were under the impression that there will be rapid change but there isn’t. We hope once the Budget process is out, Parliament will take measures to change this piece of legislature,” she said.

She said only because the GSP+ concession was granted, it doesn’t mean that the recipient could sit back and relax.

The MEPs expressed concern that the progress achieved has been slower than originally hoped, but that the foundations for that progress were now mostly in place.

The delegation welcomed a number of positive developments that have taken place since their last official visit, such as the decision to readmit Sri Lanka to its preferential trade programme GSP+ and the lifting of the ban on Sri Lanka’s fisheries exports to the EU market. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Pics by Damith Wickramasinghe


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  Comments - 9

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  • ceylon Thursday, 02 November 2017 07:05 PM

    dont surprise about slow progress and no progress in this country.this is a country full of idiots and theives. via DM Android App

    ceylon Thursday, 02 November 2017 07:07 PM

    during 69 years of independenceover 400000 citizens killed in lanka.no need any other proof for the total failer of the leaders and governments. via DM Android App

    Kotiya Thursday, 02 November 2017 08:52 PM

    We are not your colony. So shut up.

    Dee17 Friday, 03 November 2017 12:05 PM

    Frankly, I dont think we really need to care about what they think. If you go to really analyse it, there are far bigger problems in some of the nations they choose to ignore for vested reasons. So.... tata

    vithura Friday, 03 November 2017 04:20 PM

    Yeah right, we are only interested in the crumbs you throw like GSP plus etc, but don't dare ask us to wag our tails.

    Deshabandhu JayakodY Friday, 03 November 2017 12:11 PM

    Be reasonable ladies and gentlemen. After 30 years of continuous terrorism, isn't it appropriate for us to be cautious? How do you all react to ISIS in your countries?

    patriotin Friday, 03 November 2017 08:15 PM

    agree with your comment.

    Waskodegama Friday, 03 November 2017 11:55 PM

    I like if she could born as my daughter

    A. K. Adwani Saturday, 04 November 2017 06:45 AM

    PTA Act should be applied to those who engaged in riots, arson, looting, setting fire to Tamils properties, houses, attacked Tamils and subsequently started attacking worshipping places of muslims, etc. from 1956 to 1983 and 2009 to 2017


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