The postponement of President Anura Dissanayake’s visit to France, which was scheduled to take place later this month, could hamper Sri Lanka’s efforts to secure France’s support to extend the GSP+ concession, it has been reported.
The Sunday Times newspaper reported, quoting Minister Vijitha Herath, that President Anura Dissanayake’s official visit to France, which was scheduled to take place later this month, was postponed due to urgent domestic issues, including the impact of the violent situation in the Negombo prison. Accordingly,
According to the report, the French authorities have been informed of this and Sri Lanka has requested a new date later this year.
The Sri Lankan President had planned to seek French support for the extension of the GSP+ tariff concession during this visit, but the delay in the visit means that the process will not be completed as expected, the report said. The current GSP+ tariff concession expires on December 31 this year, so Sri Lanka will have to submit a new application for next year.
To continue to receive the GSP+ facility, Sri Lanka is committed to effectively implementing 27 international conventions covering human rights, labor rights, environmental protection and good governance. Sri Lanka lost the GSP+ facility in 2010 and it was restored during the Yahapalana government in 2017. The facility is scheduled to expire in 2027.