Lanka now says no move to sue the EU over GSP

The Sri Lankan government now says there is no move at taking legal action against the EU over the suspension of the GSP plus scheme to Sri Lanka. Minister G.L Peiris had earlier told reporters this week that legal action will be taken.

  

However the Asian Tribune website quoted Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe as saying there is no such decision adding it is “just a view expressed” Minister G.L Peiris.

There will not be any legal action against the EU,” Samarasinghe told Asian Tribune.

“There are various opinions being expressed. But the most important thing is we are in dialogue with the EU resident Ambassador and officials in Brussels” over securing the trade concession to Sri Lanka, he said

When contacted the EU Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Bernard Savage told Asian Tribune that there has been “no formal intimation from the government with regard to any legal action.

“We are open for discussion with the Government over the GSP plus,” Savage said.

Last week, the European Commission (EC) recommended temporary suspension of the GSP+ trade scheme to Sri Lanka under which nearly 7100 Sri Lankan exports go to the EU bloc tax free.

And Prof G. L. Peiris snapped at the EU calling the denial of GSP + is violation of human rights. He vowed to take the matter to an international tribunal.