Holger Seubert, German Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives

Sri Lanka is reportedly at risk of losing its favourable trading preferences granted by the Generalised Scheme of Preference Plus (GSP+) agreement, for failing to repeal the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). 

Economy Next reported that the German Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Holger Seubert, told a group of journalists that “Sri Lanka has several times promised to the EU and Germany that they will bring the PTA in line with international standards."

"This phase of GSP+ is coming to an end and there is a risk that Sri Lanka might lose it. Sri Lanka cannot afford to lose it at this juncture," Seubert reportedly added. 

In 2010, Sri Lanka lost access to the trade concession due to its abysmal human rights record but was later reinstated in 2017 despite widespread criticism from Tamil civil society and human rights organisations. 

The scheme grants Sri Lankan exporters tariff-free access to the EU market in exchange for compliance with 27 international conventions related to human and labour rights, the environment and good governance. 

Successive Sri Lankan governments have made numerous pledges to repeal the PTA  but have failed to deliver on their commitments. Sri Lanka has continued to enjoy the trade concessions over the last six years although it has not been compliant. The PTA has been used disproportionately for decades to detain Tamils and Muslims for prolonged periods of time, without charge and often times in contravention of due process guarantees recognised by international law. The legislation has been used more recently by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to quash the anti-government protests that erupted last year leading to the fall of his predecessors.