The Sri Lankan government will resubmit its applications to regain the EU's GSP+ trade concessions, which were withdrawn over its human rights record/
International Development Minister Malik Samarawickrama told textile industry representatives earlier this month that the EU's ban on fisheries exports will be removed, which would pave the way to regaining GSP+, The Sunday Times reported.
In November the EU's ambassador to Sri Lanka, David Daly said that the reinstatement of the GSP+ benefits were further away than the government claimed, a few days after Mr Samarawickrama told parliament that the concessions would be reinstated in June 2016.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in June claimed GSP+ would be granted after the Human Rights Council last September.
Sri Lanka's deputy foreign minister meets EU in Brussels to regain GSP+ (12 December 2015)
Tamil rights violated by successive Sri Lanka governments says Chief Minister on World Human Rights Day (11 Dec 2015)
Sri Lanka businesses must lobby for improved human rights to see GSP+ reinstated says EU ambassador (27 Nov 2015)
Sri Lanka will get GSP+ in June 2016, states minister (24 November 2015)
Sri Lanka will apply for GSP+ this year says minister (05 October 2015)
Ranil confident about lifting of GSP+ sanctions (01 Oct 2015)
EU trade concessions will be regained after HRC session in Sept – Ranil (22 June 2015)
Sri Lanka confident in restoring GSP+ trade concessions (03 June 2015)
‘An awful lot remains to be done’ on human rights in Sri Lanka says EU envoy (10 May 2015)
Rights issues crucial to granting GSP+ in Sri Lanka, says EU Ambassador (31 March 2015)
Sri Lanka seeks to regain GSP+ (28 March 2015)
EU parliament's 'Friends of Sri Lanka' in visit to help remove fishing ban (08 March 2015)
EU suspends fish imports from Sri Lanka (16 January 2015)