LNP – EU reminds Sri Lanka of GSP+ conditions

• Reiterates importance of embedding rule of law and judicial integrity into reform fabric

The European Union (EU) has reiterated the urgency for Sri Lanka to align its domestic laws with the international human rights and labour conventions, if it is to continue reaping the benefits of preferential access to the EU market, under the GSP+ trade scheme.

The reminder came in a joint statement issued after the eighth meeting of the Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights, under the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission. 

Sri Lanka, which regained the GSP+ status in 2017, after a seven-year suspension over wartime rights concerns, has since ratified all 27 core international conventions that underpin the scheme spanning human rights, labour standards, environmental protection and governance.

In 2023, the EU imports from Sri Lanka topped €2.6 billion, with roughly half €1.3 billion entering under the GSP+ window.

While the EU commended Colombo’s “continued efforts towards recovery” and progress on the International Monetary Fund-backed governance reforms, it reiterated the importance of embedding rule of law and judicial integrity into the reform fabric. 

There was also mutual agreement on the importance of civil society in shaping legislation and support for a participative process of all communities in strengthening Sri Lanka’s truth and reconciliation framework, a signal that post-war accountability remains on the EU radar.

The conclusions and recommendations of the Working Group will be reported to the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission to be held in Colombo during the latter half of the year. 

The delegation of Sri Lanka was led by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry Europe and North America Division Director General Sugeeshwara Gunaratna. The delegation of the EU was led by European External Action Service South Asia Division Head Charles Whiteley.