SL risks losing GSP+ if death penalty implemented

18 July 2018 10:36 pm - 43 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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EU ambassadors warned Sri Lanka on Monday against ending its 42-year moratorium on capital punishment and said the island risked losing trade concessions if it went ahead, the Daily Mail reported on Monday quoting the AFP.

"The diplomatic missions have requested the President to maintain the moratorium on the implementation of the death penalty and to uphold Sri Lanka's tradition of opposition to capital punishment," the EU ambassadors said in a joint statement.

Diplomats said they expected Sirisena to roll back the decision, but should the island go ahead it would loose preferential access for its exports to the 28-member EU bloc.

"If Sri Lanka resumes capital punishment, Colombo will immediately lose the GSP-Plus status," an EU diplomatic source has told AFP.

This refers to its GSP Plus restored by the EU in May 2017 after a seven-year hiatus.

Sri Lanka was denied GSP Plus status in 2010 after failing to meet its rights obligations. The Sirisena administration reapplied after coming to power in 2015.

EU diplomats have estimated that Sri Lanka gains an estimated USD 350 million advantage annually thanks to the GSP-Plus system.

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Comments - 43

Graham Wednesday, 18 July 2018 10:47 PM

EU is blackmailing Sri Lanka with GSP ....once we were denied GSP in 2010 for eliminating a ruthless terror outfit...

very true Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:27 AM

very true.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:34 AM

There are many methods that can be used to control and nab drug trade without resorting to capital punishment.

DHA Wednesday, 18 July 2018 11:12 PM

There goes our president's one and only worthful proposal

Unchikun Wednesday, 18 July 2018 11:15 PM

Nice. It is our mistake to send the wrong people to the legislature.

Haramanis Wednesday, 18 July 2018 11:16 PM

Ask the EU to stop the drug trade !!!

Maru Thursday, 19 July 2018 07:53 AM

And years of habouring LTTE funding and human trafficking.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:35 AM

How can that be done, when the citizens of this country vote them into parliament, provincial councils etc...

DHA Wednesday, 18 July 2018 11:16 PM

Don't worry EU our president is only acting in a drama all to divert the general public from the heavy cost of living

Machan Thursday, 19 July 2018 12:01 AM

We lived without and we can live without GSP . But if our streets are not safe and our children are not safe we can't live like that. So hell with the GSP and PLEASE MAKE THE COUNTRY A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE FIRST.Thank you.

Southpaw Thursday, 19 July 2018 12:22 AM

Who needs the EU when we have patriots and keyboard/Facebook Warriors who will protect us from Conspiracies from minorities as well as Foriegn Governments.

gammini Thursday, 19 July 2018 12:30 AM

We are forever under the control of the white man. While the Buddhists,Hindus,and Muslims feel the pain, the Christians are secretly very happy.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:38 AM

Don't blame the white man or the China man or the Indian man. We create the situations for their interference.

Sira Thursday, 19 July 2018 10:18 AM

You have got more thumbs down,but Christians are only about 15% of the population.

George Thursday, 19 July 2018 12:37 AM

Whats there more to loose anyway?

DJ Thursday, 19 July 2018 12:57 AM

Sadly our leaders do not pocess the quality of foresight. Hence the repercussions

Manel Thursday, 19 July 2018 01:02 AM

We are between the devil and deep blue sea.

Mevan Thursday, 19 July 2018 01:05 AM

To Hell with the GSP. HANG THE DRUG MAFIA.

sHeHaN Thursday, 19 July 2018 04:54 AM

I don’t understand why the EU is considering China and Saudi Arabia as major trading partners and considered as friendly nations to EU, when these two countries top the lists for capital punishements and China alone executed over 1300 people in 2016 it self.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:40 AM

But China

Harini Thursday, 19 July 2018 06:40 PM

You haven't figured it out yet? It's not about HR, it's all about the money, honey! China and S.Arabia can't be messed with as they literally hold a third or more of global business and financial markets and the EU and America are at their mercy.

rajitha Thursday, 19 July 2018 05:44 AM

The death penalty whether appropriate or not in an internal matter. Mahinda Rajapaske was able to grow the economy 8% even without GSP. Although his pro-corruption stand weakened him amongst the local populace. So the correct way forward is a forthright leader who would do what is in the best interest of the island but also one who is honest and has integrity.

Ash Thursday, 19 July 2018 05:17 PM

Any potential candidates

Harini Thursday, 19 July 2018 06:41 PM

We all agree. But Sri Lanka doesn't have those kinds of people anymore. Unless we outsource them...

Wow122 Friday, 20 July 2018 10:36 AM

Do you know how they calculate this 8% figure?

nalaka Thursday, 19 July 2018 06:32 AM

who cares about GSP other nations are trying to use this GSP as a string to control this country

SL Thursday, 19 July 2018 08:58 AM

Send all the drug dealers to EU ! UK has already suffering with surge of road side crimes i.e.killing and drug related crimes ,let them enjoy with our drug leaders too .Our leaders have already put our county at stake so as any country can bully us .

Jude Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:01 AM

For years SL did without the benefits of GSP !!!

Econ Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:30 AM

Dr Harisha

Janet Wauburg Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:35 AM

Typical behaviour of Masonic orgs. This way they support lawlessness.

GH Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:37 AM

GSP is no more beneficial to any other country rather than EU itself. So, implementing Death Penalty in Sri Lanka seems vital and worthier than GSP.

JIM Thursday, 19 July 2018 09:52 AM

THE EU IS NOT BLACKMAILING SL, A CLEVER POLITICAL PLOY THAT WORKED. EVERYBODY KNEW THIS WAS NEVER GOING TO SEE LIGHT OF DAY. MY3 HOODWINKS WE THE PEOPLE, AGAIN.

Senewi Thursday, 19 July 2018 10:08 AM

It reveals the hidden links of LTTE

Lord Wolfstein Thursday, 19 July 2018 10:20 AM

GSP is granted for good governance and respect for human rights. Killing by state is bad governance and can not reduce crime.

Gamaya Thursday, 19 July 2018 11:47 AM

One must understand that our President is busy globe trotting and has very few hours at his disposale to utilise for the benefit of the country.He comes out with what comes to his mind .

ali Thursday, 19 July 2018 12:13 PM

First of all, EU should not interfere in other country's legal system just because they give GSP. If GSP gives this sort of authority to EU, there is something wrong in their GSP terms and we should say no to GSP before they can say

yahiya Thursday, 19 July 2018 12:20 PM

Send all drugs to EU . Then they will realize.

Nuwan Thursday, 19 July 2018 04:56 PM

EU, like other international organizations, upholds a set of values. No matter how friendly this government is with the EU nations if it acts against those values, there will be consequences. Changing policies as they change underwears got to stop if the country is to be treated with dignity internationally.

senna Thursday, 19 July 2018 05:03 PM

When you go around the world with your begging bowl, like it or not you have to dance to their tune too.

Jiff Thursday, 19 July 2018 05:19 PM

This is why we should build ourselves a powerful sovereign nation. Relying on concessions for exports is so slavish. But our people were made into west worshipping slaves by British which our leaders still could not undo.

Lara Thursday, 19 July 2018 05:20 PM

Will they have a backbone to say to keep the GSP to themselves like how Putin did? ofcourse not, they don't allow a leader with a backbone to persist. Will always bring around a puppet who will listen to them.

Ajja Thursday, 19 July 2018 05:26 PM

This is why we are been castigated by the Western world as THIRD WORLD Country.We must held our heads high and show the world that we are INDEPENDENT and no to GSP.If not dont Celebrate Independence day on February 04th...

Martin Milton Thursday, 19 July 2018 06:34 PM

This is absolutely disgusting to the core! The EU holding a developing nation like Sri Lanka to ransom!! HE the President should now show his mettle and ask them to 'Go fly a kite' instead! Let the people of Sri Lanka decide what is good for their nation NOT foreigners like the ultra biased EU! Their shameful behaviour needs to be roundly condemned by ALL parties in Parliament. MM

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SL risks losing GSP+ if death penalty implemented

Comments - 43

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