The EU report highlighted the plight of thousands of Tamil war refugees still living in camps [EPA]

The 27-nation bloc could suspend Sri Lanka from a trade preference called GSP Plus, which offers tariff cuts that helps its principal exports, garments.

The EU report, published in October, highlighted the resettling of the hundreds of thousands of war refugees still living in camps and allegations of rights violations and torture in the 25-year war between the government and Tamil Tiger separatists.

Sri Lanka, which must respond by Friday or risk losing the concessions, has criticised the report as an attempt to undermine its administration.

Sri Lanka is one of 16 countries with GSP status.

In 2008, the European Union was Sri Lanka's largest export market, accounting for 36 per cent of all exports.
 
Suspending the tariffs would mean EU buyers would have to pay more for Sri Lankan exports.
 
Globally recognised brands like Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Next could take their business elsewhere, such as China, India and Vietnam.

The move would hit Sri Lanka's textile industry hard and thousands of job cuts as a result.

Colombo's view

Rajiva Wijesinha, secretary of the Sri Lankan disaster management and human rights ministry, said his country had responded to some of the "specifics" raised by the EU.

He said Sri Lanka "refused to submit to what is called a general investigation. But any specific thing we have said we will look at and this we are doing".

He did not confirm whether a formal response to the EU report had been made.

Wijesinha also accused the EU of being dishonest in its dealings with Sri Lanka.

"I think we have a situation where the EU is under a lot of pressure. We know that there are diaspora pressures; it's just that they are so dishonest about it," he said.

"The Americans, for instance, were much more honest in telling us that there was a report on certain things that was mandated by congress. I wish there was more honesty about these things."

Recommend this article...

Did you enjoy this article? Please bookmark it onto:

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Homepage
Title:
BBCode:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.4