Sajith says GSP+ win shows SL no longer pariah but now a civilised state

Responding to speculation that the EU will approve Sri Lanka’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) application, UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said that “if GSP+ status is announced today it will be great news for Sri Lanka and testament to the record of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his UNP-led government.”

«The EU applies very strict criteria to such applications and has only granted GSP+ status to a small number of countries. If GSP+ status is granted to Sri Lanka this will be international recognition of improvements in Sri Lanka in human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and good governance. It shows how Sri Lanka has progressed since this concession was withdrawn in 2010 when Sri Lanka had no credibility and was internationally regarded as a pariah state. Now we are international recognised as a civilised state,” Premadasa said.

«Our Government has undertaken major reforms aiming for national reconciliation, respect for human rights, the rule of law and good governance principles as well as sustainable economic development. 

«The achievement of GSP+ will be a huge boost to our business, our economy, our industry and will create thousands of jobs. GSP+ status will revitalise our garment industry, fisheries, rubber industry, rice and tea producers. This will help our largest companies but also stimulate and protect our smallest producers and encourage enterprise and initiative.»