Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa requested the representatives of the European Commission reviewing the GSP+ concession given to Sri Lanka to continue with the provision in view of the current economic hardships faced by the country.

A meeting between the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and representatives of the European Commission was held at the Opposition Leader's Office in Colombo yesterday (28).

The delegation visited Sri Lanka to study whether or not the GSP Plus concession that the country was able to win during the previous government should be extended and meanwhile, the delegation met the Leader of the Opposition. They met a number of other political party representatives as well.

They study the current situation in the country, the rule of law, human rights, freedom and equality, reconciliation, the environment, media freedom, civil liberties and many other issues in Sri Lanka. During the relevant meeting, the Leader of the Opposition emphasized that the GSP Plus concession is a great strength to our country and that the necessary support should be provided to continue to grant it to our country. He also thanked the European Commission for its financial assistance to Sri Lanka, GSP Plus and international relief.

The two sides had a lengthy discussion on Corona disaster and current issues, and the Leader of the Opposition called on relevant delegates to provide necessary support to move Sri Lanka forward.

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa told delegates of the European Commission that his party's foreign policy is a non-aligned foreign policy and that Sri Lanka is a land of peace, not a land of power struggles for super powers.

The EC delegation focused on protection of human rights, expansion of democratic space for people, devolution and balancing of power between legislature / judiciary and the executive etc. and the Leader of the Opposition pointed out the importance of drawing attention of the government towards positive achievement of the above said factors.

European Commission delegation consisted of Luis Prats (Head of Unit - International Affairs), Denis Chaibi (Ambassador – Head of Delegation), Thorsten Bargfrede (Deputy Head of Mission – Head of Political, Trade and Communications Section), Loannis Giogkarakis Argyropoulos (Head of Division- Regional Affairs and South Asia), Guido Dolara (Policy Officer – Bilateral relations in Trade and Sustainable Development Generalised Scheme of Preferences), Nikolaos Zaimis (Senior Advisor – Sustainable Development Economic Partnership Agreements GSP), Anne Vaugier Chatterjee (Deputy Head – Political, Trade & Communications Sections) and Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, MP Harsha de Silva and others were present with Leader of the Opposition at this occasion.