(UTV | COLOMBO) – Sri Lanka is at the risk of losing GSP+ (Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus) concession due to arbitrary arrests of Muslim leaders such as Rishad Bathiudeen, Azath Salley, and other minority rights activists in the country, Parliamentarian Dr. Rajitha Senarathne said.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution 10 June calling for the repeal of Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and inviting the European Union (EU) Commission to consider temporarily withdrawing Sri Lanka’s access to the GSP+ concession.
Senarathne said at a media briefing yesterday (23), that the PTA has been systematically used for arbitrary arrests and the detention of Rishad Bathiudeen, Azath Salley, Hejaaz Hizbullah, and Shani Abeysekera for political revenge, and as a result the country is now at the risk of losing GSP+ concession.
Sri Lanka regained access to GSP+ concession in May 2017 on the condition that the country would commit to implementing international conventions on human rights and other aspects of good governance.
