A high-level diplomatic delegation from the European Union, led by Ambassador Carmen Moreno, met with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today at his office in Colombo for wide-ranging discussions.
The EU delegation included Charles Whiteley, Head of the ASIAPAC.6 Division of the European External Action Service; Lars Bredal, Deputy Head of Delegation; Guido Dolara and Bartos Vladislav Otachel, Policy Officers of the European Commission; Galija Agiseva, Representative of the EU in Sri Lanka; and Michael Dodini, Policy Officer.
The talks focused on Sri Lanka’s social, economic, and political issues, with special emphasis on the future of the GSP+ trade concession. Premadasa urged the EU to expand market access for Sri Lankan exports, especially apparel, highlighting the need to offset the impact of the 44% retaliatory tariffs imposed by the United States.
SJB MPs Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena, S.M. Marikkar, Mujibur Rahuman, former MP Eran Wickramaratne, and a group of academics and experts also participated in the meeting.