No intention to re-apply for GSP -SL

25 February 2011 11:19 am - 31 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lanka government has said that it has no intention to re-apply for the GSP+ facility as it is a ‘closed issue’ for them, the visiting European Union Parliamentary delegation told the media a short while ago.

“The government indicated to us that the GSP+ is now a closed issue that it has no interest in pursuing any further or re-applying for the concession. The government now hopes to look toward small and medium enterprise development with the EU- move on from the GSP+ issue and develop a better relationship,” Head of the European Parliamentary Delegation for Relations with South Asia Jean Lambert said.

The Delegation also praised the government’s plans for development in the North and stated that members of the delegation were “impressed” by the developments especially in the areas of education and healthcare. Nevertheless they called for “local participation” in the development process and showed optimism that the local elections would eventually ensure this participation.

“We also welcome the governments open dialog with the Tamil National Alliance, while identifying that naturally there are political issues that are yet to be resolved,” she said.

While here the delegation had questioned the government on whether the role of the military in the north was being sufficiently curtailed and had discussions on this matter with the Secretary of Defense Gotabhaya Rajapakse. “We want to make sure that people are clear on where the role of the military stops and where the work for civil society begins. Not just in terms of the Police but also in terms of law and order,” Lambert said. “The Defence Secretary was also clear that Tamil speaking policemen will be recruited in the north in order to deal with law and order,” she added.

Lambert explained that a number of development projects which were “well thought out” were presented to her at “break-neck speed” and expressed that if these were “physically delivered” there would be massive development in the north. However she cautioned that the funding and loan repayment for these projects needed to be monitored.

The delegation had also observed a debate in parliament on the state of emergency.

While here the delegation flew to the North in order to observe the post-conflict situation there. The group also met with Speaker of Parliament Chamal Rajapakse and Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and other members of the government and opposition, INGO’s, NGO’s and civil society representatives. (DS)

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Comments - 31

das Saturday, 26 February 2011 03:37 AM

Where has it grown?? Actually there is no point in asking for it because the entire garment industry will be gone in the near future.

no answer Sunday, 27 February 2011 09:04 AM

No answer for those question. better Mind My Own Business

wara Saturday, 26 February 2011 02:22 PM

Miracle of Asia!

Ranjith Saturday, 26 February 2011 01:03 PM

He will make a country with a Chinese bakabone and Chi Lanka

roshan Saturday, 26 February 2011 01:02 PM

why our people every time talking about pride and dignity
why you send your women for house maid.
what kind of mentality this sri lankan

Paul Saturday, 26 February 2011 11:16 AM

These show how ignorant these people are about the international trade and where we stand really in it.

vincent Saturday, 26 February 2011 10:26 AM

The country needs GSP + if the Economy is s to GROW,./ provide more employment / and improve our peoples Living Standards.
Its OK for the Politiceans to boast about abstract matters such as "Our Pride" etc,,,( which is the cause of our problems)
They don,t have to work as the State pays them more than they deserve. . Its the"Poor" people that have to pay the price for the Sky rocketting price on a daily basis.
Dont be fooled by this feeble talk - we need to get GSP+ and increase are Trade with the EU - if not we will be left behind as countries like Bangladesh , Vietnam etc... are improving its Economy.- its not only ther Garment Sector that will benefit from GSP+ -the fishing, rubber industries etc.. to name but a few that will benefit ...
Our people need EMPLOYMENT

sara Saturday, 26 February 2011 07:21 AM

Many thanks for the president for making SL, a country with a bacbone

CW Saturday, 26 February 2011 07:13 AM

Remember, they agreed to give it recently. Well done SL.

I Hussein Saturday, 26 February 2011 06:29 AM

It sound very good to say those patriotic statements but its not the reality. We run to western countries for begging.
Maybe the ministers dont need GSP+ but the people of this country need it.

Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 26 February 2011 06:25 AM

Sour Grapes ?

Sri Lankan Saturday, 26 February 2011 05:40 AM

Proud to be a Sri lankan

Rajitha Saturday, 26 February 2011 05:43 AM

Keep dreaming

KABAB Saturday, 26 February 2011 04:46 AM

Today we will reject GSP+ and tomorrow beg again.

Guru Saturday, 26 February 2011 04:41 AM

Govt of SL konows that even if they apply, they want get it.

Mjuw Saturday, 26 February 2011 03:56 AM

It is only through testing our own strengths and having confidence in them that Sri Lanka can progress. And this is an example of depicting the right attitude towards that. Proud of our Land!!!

Ranaraja Friday, 25 February 2011 11:31 AM

How can any self respecting government beg again for such concessions from their imperialist masters

sajith Saturday, 26 February 2011 03:32 AM

midi thiththai

kavin gunaratne Saturday, 26 February 2011 03:24 AM

Whatever the case, USA and other European Countries should not behave like thugs threatening existence of other countries hiding behind human rights and other things. These threatening are also some kind of human right violations. Dialog is the best way to resolve problems.All these so called rich countries should be responsible for fate of undedeveloped countries today due to their action to make everything globalised.

kayhaytha Saturday, 26 February 2011 03:03 AM

Way to go, Mother Lanka !!

ranjith Saturday, 26 February 2011 03:04 AM

Ranjith
"kappanna beri atha imbinawa" They tried to bully us but failed now showing the olive leaves

Sam Saturday, 26 February 2011 02:28 AM

Yes we do not need white people telling us what to do. GSP is no needed. we are better off without it.

silva Friday, 25 February 2011 10:37 PM

We have heard the story of the disappointed fox which said "sour grapes"

citizen1 Friday, 25 February 2011 07:33 PM

Pride comes before fall.

Vision8 Friday, 25 February 2011 07:04 PM

Well done, Sri Lanka! It is no secret that many EU politicians have accepted 'campaign money' (also known as ltte-terror money) and, as a result, try to 'oblige' Tamil terror-supporters by issuing their opinionated 'statements' on Sri Lanka. Many EU and US politicians are just bullies against developing countries, trying to push their weight around., in attempts to 'destabilize' rising areas in the world.

It is high time that the West, lead by the US and EU, faced the reality that they are not the proclaimed 'super powers' of the world any more.

Sri Lanka is a proud country, and can look after Herself!

Butanis Wathi Friday, 25 February 2011 06:49 PM

Hey, UNP hypocrites, say some thing.

Dinithi Friday, 25 February 2011 05:27 PM

It will be difficult in the short-term but in the long-term we are better off. Dependence in any form is a weakness.

siripala Friday, 25 February 2011 12:08 PM

Sri Lankans are not beggers. We value our dignity

Prof Ravi Kulatunga Friday, 25 February 2011 11:53 AM

Good. We must show those Europeans that we are not their slaves and our country is not a colony. Our garment industry has grown after GSP+ was withdrawn. Such is the resilience of our economy.

I Hussein Friday, 25 February 2011 11:29 AM

Thats he view of the present govt for reasons well known. But the SL people need GSP plus.

Paul Friday, 25 February 2011 11:34 AM

You won't get it even if you do apply because SL has already been 'blacklisted'

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No intention to re-apply for GSP -SL

Comments - 31

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