Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has warned that Sri Lanka could lose its GSP+ trade concessions from the European Union if the Government introduces what he described as repressive anti-terrorism legislation.
In a special statement, Premadasa accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Government of attempting to introduce tough laws to suppress public opposition and conceal its failure to fulfil election promises.
He said the European Union had called for the repeal of the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to strengthen human rights and democratic protections, rather than its replacement with more restrictive legislation.
Premadasa warned that introducing such laws could jeopardise Sri Lanka’s access to GSP+ trade benefits, which provide preferential access to European markets for Sri Lankan exports.
The Opposition Leader alleged that the proposed legislation could undermine civil, political and human rights while giving the Government greater powers to determine who could be classified as a terrorist.
He also accused the Government of failing to deliver on promises to reduce fuel and electricity prices, alleviate poverty and support small and medium-sized businesses, farmers, fishermen and workers.
Premadasa claimed the Government was seeking to strengthen executive authority under the pretext of protecting national security.
He urged the administration to abandon legislation that could undermine democratic freedoms and instead introduce constitutional reforms to strengthen fundamental rights.
The Government’s mandate was to protect the sovereignty and rights of the people, not to consolidate the power of the ruling party, he said.
The warning comes amid wider concerns over the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill and Prevention of Organised Crime Bill. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka have also raised objections to provisions in the proposed legislation.
However, Premadasa’s warning about the possible loss of GSP+ remains a political assessment, not an announced decision by the European Union. (Newswire)