Government rejects EU regulations

9 February 2010 01:58 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 21 Bookmark

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By Dianne Silva

The Sri Lankan government today reiterated that it will not adhere to a set of regulation put forward by the European Union in order to safeguard the GSP plus facility but at the same time will engage in bilateral relations with Brussels.

“We will not adhere to a set of regulations presented by them, but engage in bilateral relations which are in the domestic interest of Sri Lanka,” Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told reporters in Colombo this evening.

The Minister made these comments at a press briefing to detail the success of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to the Russian Federation.

News agencies had reported last week that EU diplomats had decided to suspend the GSP trade concession for Sri Lanka and that a formal announcement will be made later this month.

News agencies reported on the 5th of this month that EU diplomats had decided to suspend the GSP trade concession for Sri Lanka and that a formal announcement will be made later this month. However, Ravinatha Aryasinha, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU said at the time that no formal decision on “temporary suspension” of GSP+ has been taken by the European Council and that they have time till later this month.

The Sri Lankan envoy said that clearly many of the concerns that had given rise to the European Commission’s psychological impetus to review Sri Lanka’s suitability for the continuance of the GSP+, have already been addressed on the ground and in such context, any “temporary suspension” at this time would amount to, " having taken the temperature of a patient when he has a fever, then pronouncing him dead ten months later after he has recovered and is doing well."

(Daily Mirror online)

Comments - 21

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 07:07 PM

Boggales, you are a good joker. Thanks to you'll, soon there will be so many people without jobs.

4 29

Wednesday, 10 February 2010 02:41 PM

Well said FM. we should not accept any regulations from the west. we r no more their colony. Remain unbent and unbowed

3 4

Wednesday, 10 February 2010 12:18 PM

This reminds me a year or so ago we rejected the loan offer by the IMF, then we said ok we will have it just in case and thereafter when IMF said fly a kite we indeed did fly all round the world to ultimately beg for the loan having to say yes to all the conditions put forward. Soon you will see them flying around in panic after all their big talk.

1 3

Wednesday, 10 February 2010 09:56 AM

You are 100% correct

2 6

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 11:29 PM

When someone is saying that you are wrong, you should have the courtesy to look at that issue and see what can be done. That’s how a wise man and wise nation would react!

5 37

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 11:01 PM

Hello EU! No! we will not adhere to the standards that are required for granting the GSP+ concession. That undermines our sovereignty. But as a sovereign state, we demand that you grant us the concession. This is international diplomacy, "Bogollo" style!

7 25

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 08:17 PM

The country should first learn to 'stand on it's own feet' before rejecting EU proposals!

6 28

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 07:55 PM

These actions by EU are not sudden reactions. They are the results of series of grave diplomatic errors, on our part. At least now, the SL government should understand the seriousness of developing better foreign relationships and appoint capable people to hold key positions.

5 28

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 07:50 PM

Yes, it is quite evident that the SL government is not ready to respect human rights, respect media freedom, reduce corruption, etc.

6 32

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 07:45 PM

Do you know anything about EU and GSP regulations?

3 27

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 07:15 PM

Mr. Boggals thinks that the EU is waiting to welcome us with a red carpet?

5 31

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 04:19 PM

why u are not asking from russia,iran,china, north corea,myanmar

10 60

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 06:56 PM

Do beggars have a choice? I never knew that.

7 28

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 06:41 PM

It's not the GOSL ministers who will suffer but the innocent Lankans who work hard to earn their 'bread'!

4 38

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 06:33 PM

Lankawata 'sorry.com' if we go on this line ...

9 38

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 04:46 PM

....and our government makes sure, once again, that we are internationally isolated.... way to go.... WAKE UP!!! WE ARE NOT SELF-SUFFICIENT NOR ARE WE ALL POWERFUL!!!! This bull-in-a-china-shop foreign policy will only work with 5 year olds, not international diplomats. This administration is just asking for trouble....

8 42

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 04:40 PM

Well then dont go begging to the outside world.

11 46

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 04:39 PM

The government should ask Iran , Russia, Burma and China to buy all those intimate lady's garments and the rest of clothes. Public are to bear the brunt because of the folly of our nutty government politicians.

11 56

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 04:35 PM

We will end up like Myanmar very soon. But then again that is what this country's people deserve for using their valuable vote to elect a bunch of thieves and thugs. Mr. Foreign minister you cannot even hold a candle to any of the foreign minsters this country has had. So I guess you enjoy your overseas trips and make the most of it while you have it. After all it is us the public who pay for your trips no!!!

15 68

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 04:27 PM

NONSENSE !

10 50

Tuesday, 09 February 2010 04:22 PM

The government of srilanka rejects all ways westran world last five years then why you are indirectly begging, Mr Bogalagama you have no place the global world.

13 66

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