14 June 2021 08:58 am Views - 425
The Government does not have to worry about loosing GSP plus if it upholds civil, political human rights of the people, a senior member of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said yesterday.
SJB Treasurer and Member of Parliament Harsha de Silva said there will be no issue with regard to GSP plus while the resolution approved by the European Parliament will not have much relevance if people’s rights are upheld by the Sri Lankan government. “It will be possible to secure GSP plus if the government stops arresting people for submitting posts on social media and engage in suppressing those who criticize it,” Dr. De Silva said.
“The last government only secured people’s rights and created a better tomorrow for the people to secure GSP plus. I was assigned to ensure economic diplomacy during the last regime as one time Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Foreign countries especially those from the Europe’s only wanted us to uphold people’s rights to ensure that GSP plus is secured,” he said.
SJB MP Mujibur Rahman who held a press conference said the statement issued by SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam is a clear indication that there are cracks in the government. “It is also clear that the SLPP leaders have instructed Mr. Kariyawasam to issue the statement requesting the minister of petroleum resources to resign,” he added.