5 October 2021 09:00 am Views - 320
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that as the oldest democratic country in the region, which has never been under a dictatorship or an authoritarian regime in any period of its history, Sri Lanka will provide solutions for issues through a democratic system.
The President made these remarks during a discussion with a delegation from the European Union (EU) at his private residence in Mirihana, yesterday(04).
The delegation is expected to review Sri Lanka’s compliance with the agreements which Sri Lanka has already committed to adhere to under the EU GSP+ regime, its co-operation with Sri Lanka and the European Parliament’s views on Sri Lanka, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.
The representatives of the European Union, who paid special attention to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), pointed out the need of a timeline based solution. The delegation said that a formal report based on the findings of the visit would be submitted to the European Commission and the European Parliament. The President said that the necessary Committees have been appointed and the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General have been instructed according to the reports of the Committees and immediate steps will be taken to amend the necessary provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
President Rajapaksa also stated that the country would abide by the agreements on human rights in the world today. The President also pointed out the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and the obstacles that the government faced in fulfilling its expected comprehensive strategies. The President explained the steps taken by the government despite this situation to address many of the problems caused by the prolonged war and to establish democracy as well as to carry out development in the North and East.