The European Union holds a favourable outlook on the ongoing GSP+ review process, according to Charles Whiteley, Head of the South Asia Division of the European External Action Service. Whiteley made these remarks during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (30 April) at the Presidential Secretariat, as part of an official visit by a European Union delegation to Sri Lanka.
Highlighting the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the EU, Whiteley noted that the collaboration has resulted in considerable trade benefits for the island nation. He expressed the EU’s readiness to continue supporting Sri Lanka’s commercial development.
He further stated that the GSP+ trade concessions are expected to motivate Sri Lanka to supply products that meet international quality standards. The continuation of these concessions, he said, depends on the government’s progress and alignment with key policy commitments.
The meeting also reviewed Sri Lanka’s progress in implementing 27 international conventions required under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), a critical mechanism that grants Sri Lanka preferential access to European markets.
President Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for the EU’s support during the country’s economic crisis and acknowledged the pivotal role GSP+ has played in sustaining Sri Lanka’s export sector and aiding its recovery.
He further remarked that the collapse of the economy was a direct result of a corrupt and mismanaged political system. “Our administration is working to rebuild the country on a foundation of stable and transparent governance, but the transformation will take time,” he said.
Commenting on the political landscape, the President pointed out that, unlike previous administrations that depended heavily on southern electoral bases, his government was elected with broad-based support from Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities across the country. He reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling the promises made to all citizens.
Also in attendance were Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Ambassador-designate of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives H.E. Carmen Moreno, and several other senior EU and Sri Lankan officials.
