Sri Lanka readies to hang GSP +
The noose has been set around the GSP + to the European Union (EU) ever since President Maithripala Sirisena endorsed death by hanging of four drug offenders which has alarmed those particularly in the apparel industry and the recent terror-struck tourism sector.
Because one of the conditions signed for GSP + is not implementing the death penalty, this move by the President could have serious repercussions, Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association Chairman Rehan Lankhany told the Business Times on Thursday.
He explained that since Sri Lanka had entered into the UN convention related to this aspect, it would become an issue for Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU.
Apparel industry leaders have been in discussion about the issues pertaining to the death penalty if implemented but today since it is just one step away from taking place Mr. Lankhany said they will be taking it up among their members as well. The biggest worry is that it would negatively impact on the industry, coming at a time when the FTA signed between the EU and Vietnam and Indonesia would become increasingly competitive for Sri Lanka’s exports. “With 50 per cent of our exports being to the EU, if we lose GSP + due to the death penalty then it would have a serious impact on the industry,” he said.
The EU in its statement released on Thursday stated that the bloc “will continue to monitor Sri Lanka’s effective implementation of the 27 international conventions relating to the GSP+ commitment, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” They stated that ending the 43 year moratorium on death penalty “would directly contradict Sri Lanka’s commitment taken at the 73rd UN General Assembly in December 2018 to maintain the moratorium.”
The tourism industry noted that even as Virgin Airlines chief and social activist Richard Branson has also reacted to this move by the Sri Lankan government it could have a negative impact although they were not sure to what extent.
“When we are trying to recover why do you want to create another negative connotation – we need to bring in positive not negative discussion,” Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) President Harith Perera said adding that “knowing the perception of the Europeans this may not go down well with them.”