A high-level diplomatic meeting was held today between the European Union (EU) delegation and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at the Opposition Leader’s office in Colombo.
The EU delegation was led by EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Carmen Moreno, and included key figures such as Charles Whiteley, Head of the South Asia Division of the European External Action Service, and Lars Bredel, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation, among others.
The discussions focused on various social, economic, and political issues impacting Sri Lanka, with a significant focus on the future of the GSP+ trade concession. Opposition Leader Premadasa highlighted the importance of improved access to European markets for Sri Lankan exports, particularly in the garment sector, as a means to boost the country’s export income.
He also pointed out the challenges posed by the 44% countervailing duty imposed by the United States on Sri Lankan exports and stressed that better market access within the EU could help mitigate these effects.
Representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), several prominent figures attended the meeting, including former MP Eran Wickramaratne and Parliamentarians Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena, S. M. Marikkar, and Mujibur Rahuman. Other notable participants included Professors Ananda Jayawickrama, Kennedy Gunawardena, Chandima Wijegunawardena, and several other experts and members of the SJB.
