The government has agreed to comply with 58 European Union (EU) conditions, which high-ranking sources in Colombo described as "adverse and detrimental to the interests of Sri Lanka" to regain the GSP+ facility.
On deciding to accommodate the stipulated conditions, moves are now underway to officially inform the EU that the Sri Lanka government is prepared to implement them in return for the restoration of the duty free concession, the sources asserted.
Amongst the conditions laid down by the EU are the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and to introduce in its place new legislation which should be reviewed and drafted in terms of international standards, wind up all court cases against detainees in custody, end the rehabilitation of LTTE combatants, introduce amendments to the criminal law to accommodate the rights of these detainees, review the Public Security Act, establish a separate office for missing persons, introduce a new human rights action plan (2017-2021), review the situation on Tamil organizations and individuals listed as terrorist outfits. (The government has informed the EU that it hopes to de-list 86 persons and eight organizations based on investigations conducted).
As part of the conditions, the EU has also demanded that court cases relating to corruption charges handled by the FCID, Attorney General’s Department and Bribery Commission be expedited and a new action plan be introduced by the Bribery Commission to tackle bribery and corruption.
The EU also wants issues such as the decentralization of power to the provinces be considered under the proposed new Constitution in addition to electoral reforms, amendments to the Land Act, increase in the number of Tamil-speaking women police personnel, ensuring at least 25% female representation in parliament and stipulation by law the marraigeable age under Muslim law (A Cabinet sub committee has already been appointed in this regard).
The government has given its consent to comply with these conditions and keep the EU informed of the progress in their implementation, these sources claimed.
