If Lanka is deprived of GSP+:

Govt has alternative option - MP Dr. Rajiva Wijesinha

Rafik JALALDEEN

The Government has an alternative option if the European Union deprives the GSP+ trade concession to Sri Lanka. There are local and International elements attempting to destabilize the country and create tension among communities using the opportunity.

Addressing the media yesterday MP Dr. Rajiva Wijesinha said the country is doing very well and moving forward to reconciliation. There is massive development taking place in the North and the East.

"Now we have to fear of destabilization. We have an Opposition party and some diplomats who are promoting destabilization of the country and creating tension among the communities," he added.

The International community has taken advantage of this situation to pressurize country and enhance the destabilization using the local politicians and diplomats.

It is a political threat to a sovereign nation, he said.

MP Wijesinghe noted that EU uses human rights violation as a tool to extend the GSP+ trade concession by imposing conditions. There are some conditions acceptable while others are a threat to national security.

The EU will have no room to investigate human right violations in the country since the country has developed human rights and moving forward to reconciliation.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has chaired the G15 summit and there are many developed and powerful countries ready stand shoulder to shoulder with Sri Lanka. "We must develop our relationship with these countries and find out possibilities to establish trade relations with these countries. Therefore, we will not be effected if the GSP+ was withheld," he added.

He reiterated that many Western countries helped Sri Lanka to eradicate terrorism.

But there will be no room for any country or organization to interfere in our domestic affairs.

The country welcomes friendly nations to assist in development but it will not accept anyone attempting to destabilize the peaceful environment which was created after three decades of war.

Director of Postgraduate Institute of Management Prof. Gunapala Nanayakkara said Sri Lankan intellectuals should take part in the development of the country in the wake of International pressure and liaise with the diaspora, in friendly countries and various organizations.

He vehemently rejected appointing a panel of experts by the UN Secretary General and said it is a violation of a sovereign nation.

Prof. Nanayakkara said that UN Secretary General Moon has no authority to appoint a Panel of Experts against a country. "There are ways to appoint a Panel of Experts but Moon should follow the procedures.

It should be appointed either after passing a mandate from Human Rights Council, General Assembly and Security Council or we should have requested to appoint a Panel of Expert," he added.