Sovereignty will not be betrayed for GSP+ - GL

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The Government will never betray the country's sovereignty in return for the GSP+ facility, Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof G.L. Peiris said.

The Minister addressing the weekly Cabinet briefing said the Government will take measures to obtain the GSP+ concessionary while safeguarding the country's dignity and honour.

"Under this, the Government will hold fruitful dialogue with the European Commission," he said.

"However, we have a six-month period before a final decision is taken," the Minister said. During this period, Sri Lanka will negotiate the issues and is looking forward to come to a fair decision," Minister Peiris added.

The Government will solve all issues related to GSP+ and safeguard the GSP+ concession, he said.

Sri Lanka has already granted many concessions to employers in the garment industry such as fair electricity tariff, fair tax systems and many other financial benefits. Domestic policies of the Government is also a boon for the garment industry, the Minister added.

The Government will take the full responsibility of the garment industry. It is a duty of the Government to protect the job security of employees engaged in the garment sector, Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.