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Resolution will not affect SL’s international ties: Rankin

26 March 2012 08:21 pm - 8     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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British High Commissioner John Rankin said the passing of the US sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka in Geneva last week would not have an impact on the country’s ties with the UK, the rest of the EU, US or even India despite controversy regarding the matter. 

“I see no reason why the resolution should negatively impact the trade and investment relationship between Sri Lanka and those countries that supported the resolution. The UK, the rest of the EU, the US and indeed India will remain Sri Lanka’s major export markets for many years to come, and it is in the interests of Sri Lanka as well as those countries that an effective commercial relationship should continue,” Rankin said while addressing the Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka Apparel Sourcing Association (SLASA).

He said trade relations between Sri Lanka and Britain were of vital importance to both countries seeing that Sri Lankan exports to the UK in 2011 totalled more than USD 1.2 billion and imports from the UK were worth some USD 245 million, making the UK Sri Lanka’s second largest trading partner by volume. While half of the country’s exports worth US$2 billion out of a total of US$4 billion go to Europe. He added that there were more than 100 UK affiliated companies in Sri Lanka.

He said Sri Lanka could profit by regaining the GSP+ concession but said the Government should decide whether it wishes to meet the GSP requirements and re-apply for its benefits. Sri Lanka has improved by ten places from last year in the Global Competitiveness Index and approved the devaluation of the rupee which he said would support buyers and exporters. (Olindhi Jayasundere)

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  Comments - 8

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  • seletar Tuesday, 27 March 2012 01:20 AM

    thank you High Commissioner for your sane and sound words.

    Henry De Silva Tuesday, 27 March 2012 01:58 AM

    UK is not a friend of Sri Lanka. They had supported the LTTE and their cause throughout the whole period. British foreign policy is dictated by LTTE and the British government would like to see a divided Sri Lanka. Best position that we (Sri-Lankans) can take is to keep out distance from UK and treat them like a country.

    Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 27 March 2012 02:37 AM

    But then our "patriotic" Minister, Weerawansa, wants to boycott American products. Wonder how that will affect our exports to USA.

    Gayan Samarasekara Tuesday, 27 March 2012 04:02 AM

    LTTE was banned in the UK, while IRA is not yet banned in Sri Lanka. However, even the English language itself is more than enough to thank the UK. Railway system, almost all the high ranking Schools, and the Colombo and Peradeniya Universities etc are all the awards that Sri Lanka received thanks to the UK occupation in Sri Lanka. In addition to the direct export-import ties, many Sri Lankans work in the UK, and send a significant amount of foreign currency to the country. Also it is the most powerful in the EU. Diplomatic relationships between Sri Lanka and the UK, must be made much more stronger than its present status.. Government should pay immediate attention on this.

    Jon Tuesday, 27 March 2012 05:37 AM

    Disgraceful. Why would we wish to trade with this despotic nation ?

    Realist Tuesday, 27 March 2012 09:33 AM

    what a joke of a comment!! LTTE was banned in UK because it was active there and IRA is not active in SL to be banned here. But ban is only eyewash and not implemented and it was done only in order to maintain UK's credibility as a nation fighting terrorism. The writer seems to think that railways, universities were built by english colonialists for the benefit of us; while reverse was the truth. And Germany is by far the most powerful in EU and not UK, an ailing former colonial power which in the near future may lose even U in their name !!

    George De Silva Tuesday, 27 March 2012 09:48 AM

    Disagree!

    Nodrog Tuesday, 27 March 2012 10:55 AM

    Same way it will not affect SL when UK housed and permitted the LTTE supporters and groups to operate on their soil?


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