The European Union (EU) drew attention to the importance of Sri Lanka making prompt and concrete progress in fulfilling international commitments on human rights and labour rights as well as in environmental protection issues, at a meeting in Colombo yesterday. The EU Working Group delegation met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera on Tuesday (March 14) and were assured of Sri Lanka’s political commitment to move forward on reforms in sectors covered by the Working Group. This was the meeting of the Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights under the European Union-Sri Lanka Joint Commission held in Colombo on 13-14 March 2017. The talks also addressed Sri Lanka’s application for a resumption of exports access to the EU market under the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which is currently under consideration by the European Parliament and the Council. The two institutions have until mid-May to discuss the European Commission’s assessment and announce a response to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka reaffirmed her commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights domestically and globally and to collaborate on the effective implementation of international human rights instruments. The EU reiterated its readiness to continue supporting the government in its reforms, including financial assistance. There was also discussion of the progress made and the challenges ahead in maintaining the freedoms of expression and of the media, strengthening civil society, advancing the rights of women and children, respecting non-discrimination on any grounds, addressing the rights of minorities, accelerating the return of land, restoration of labour rights, implementing the treaty obligations and the rule of law.
