Sri Lanka affirms commitment to repeal PTA with timeline to secure EU GSP+

Sri Lanka has affirmed its commitment to repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) during the recent EU-Sri Lanka joint meeting, a longstanding concern that remains pivotal to securing continued access to the European market under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade preferences scheme.

“Sri Lanka confirmed the commitment to repeal the PTA, and briefed the Working Group on the timeline to replace it with new counter-terrorism legislation in compliance with international norms and standards,” a joint media release by the EU and Sri Lanka noted, following the eighth meeting of the Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights held on Monday (5), in Colombo.

The Working Group discussed a range of matters of mutual interest, including efforts to combat corruption, uphold human rights, including labour rights, rights of persons belonging to minorities, women’s rights, child rights, a conducive space for civil society, strengthen electoral processes, and prevent discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.

During the discussions, the EU recalled the need to bring relevant legislation in line with international human rights and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions to ensure continued access to the European market through the GSP+ trade preferences scheme.

The EU has also congratulated Sri Lanka on the well-organised and peaceful Presidential and Parliamentary Elections last year and Sri Lanka appreciated the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) at the Presidential Elections.

The EU also congratulated Sri Lanka on the stabilisation of the economy and continued efforts towards recovery and important initiatives such as the Government Action Plan for the implementation of governance reforms based on International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommendations. 

Sri Lanka briefed the EU on the adoption of the National Action Plan to Combat Corruption, as well as steps taken to strengthen the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). 

The EU and Sri Lanka agreed on the importance of governance and judicial processes to strengthen the rule of law. The Sri Lanka side briefed the EU on the steps being taken by the Government since its election to strengthen the democratic process, governance, rule of law, and the legal framework for protecting and promoting human rights. They agreed on the important role of civil society organisations, particularly in fostering inclusive and consultative legislative processes within democratic societies.

The Working Group reiterated its shared commitment to promote and protect human rights and to collaborate, as applicable, on the effective implementation of international human rights instruments. 

The EU welcomed the commitment of the Government to end discrimination and build national unity, as well as the pledge to strengthen the truth and reconciliation framework in Sri Lanka, through an inclusive and participative process of all communities.

The EU and Sri Lanka reiterated their commitment to continue to work in the multilateral UN framework and continue their engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Council.

The EU and Sri Lanka also reaffirmed their shared commitment to continuing to support a multilateral, rules-based international order grounded in international law, with the UN at its core.

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