Responding to the destruction of the Mullivaikal monument at Jaffna university, the EU has responded issuing a statement stating that they were saddened by the destruction of the monument.
On Twitter they stated:
Saddened by destruction of monument at #Jaffna University. In view of this & other recent developments, EU is ready to step up its engagement with #SriLanka, including through an upcoming high-level meeting, to support inclusiveness, reconciliation & fair treatment of minorities.
— EU in Sri Lanka (@EU_in_Sri_Lanka) January 13, 2021
Despite this statement, the EU has provided 8.26 billion LKR to support the country’s “justice sector, food safety, and climate change mitigation”.
The European Union provides LKR 8.26 billion in grants to Sri Lanka. Support to the justice sector, food safety, and climate change mitigation.
Read the press release here: https://t.co/Q17lvp0cgO pic.twitter.com/wq1xZMyoC8
— EU in Sri Lanka (@EU_in_Sri_Lanka) January 13, 2021
Last year the EU continued its favourable GSP+ trading preferences with Sri Lanka despite Sri Lanka’s numerous breaches of human rights law and failure to repeal the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, a key commitment made by Sri Lanka to secure a favourable trading relationship under the GSP+. In December the EU further announced 22 million euros in aid targeting the health, agriculture, and tourism industries.
Read the EU press statement here.
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