Sri Lanka today won the right to regain GSP+ concession when 436 voted against denying Sri Lanka the right.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Harsha Silva tweeted from Brussels:

‘Sri Lanka won the vote here in Brussels by 436 against 119 in favour and 22 absent for the motion to deny Sri Lanka GSP+.’

Yesterday, ahead of the vote, the Deputy Minister posted on Facebook:

‘After many months of hard work led personally by PM on the advice of President and the advise and support of many top officials and the former and current EU ambassadors and implemented by us at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the recommendation of the European Commission to grant GSP+ to Sri Lanka goes to a vote in the European Parliament.

Given the objection filed at the last minute to prevent EU granting the trade concession to Sri Lanka I have been meeting with several Members of the European Parliament (MEP) on issues related to the matter. While we have broad support among MEPs there are some groups who are strongly objecting on various grounds.

Our Ambassador Rodney Perera and I made many calls on such MEPs to explain all the good work the government has done and is doing to improve democracy, governance, rule of law, human rights and reconciliation. By and large they are satisfied with the progress albeit some areas have been slow.

I am confident we will make it through!'