In an interview, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran said that he welcomes the European Union’s (EU) suspension of GSP+, a set of favourable trading preferences, to Sri Lanka due to human rights concerns.
Expanding on this Sumanthiran explained the position of the TNA.
“Regarding GSP, we have always taken a carefully considered position. We have never really clarified whether we endorse it (the suspension) or not,” Sumanthiran said.
“Because the suspension also greatly affects our people.” “However, we don’t deny that it should serve as pressure on the country,” he stressed.
“Therefore, even though we didn’t speak to the European Union directly, the suspension of GSP in the current situation is necessary,” Sumanthiran noted.
“And therefore, I would personally welcome the suspension of GSP trade preferences.”
“Because,” he continued, “it is the suspension that has prodded this government to reassess the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).”
The PTA is a draconian law passed in 1978 which allows the police to detain suspects for months continuously without trial. It has largely been used as a tool to suppress Tamil voices on the island.
Sumanthiran's statement follows the publication of a scathing report by UN experts highlighting how Sri Lanka's expansion of the PTA undermined basic liberties and violated human rights.
Read more here: Sri Lanka's expanded PTA violates basic liberties warn UN experts