The EC says it will discuss the report with the EU members and 'will most likely prepare proposals to temporarily suspend the GSP+ trade benefit'

The European Commission spokesperson for Trade, Lutz Guellner, said the EU concluded a thorough probe over whether Sri Lanka is living up to the commitments it made to respect international human rights standards when it became a beneficiary of the GSP+ facility.

He said: “The report comes to the conclusion that there are significant shortcomings in this area and that Sri Lanka is in breach of its GSP+ commitments”.

The European Commission will consult with the member states whether to suspend the facility on a temporary basis, he added.

Sri Lanka response

“At the same time, the Commission is determined to pursue its dialogue with Sri Lanka on the substantive human rights problems identified in the report and the steps that Sri Lanka can take to address them,” he further added.

The GoSL for its part will continue to engage with the European Institutions, in-keeping with the spirit of transparency and mutual respect that is appropriate to the historic and long standing relationship between Europe and Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry

Speaking from Brussels, he told BBC Sandeshaya that the adaptation of the report does not necessarily mean that the trade incentive will be withdrawn.

“This is not even a proposal to suspend trade benefits, this is only an assessment report. We will continue our dialogue with Sri Lanka government but also discuss here with the member states,” Mr. Guellner said.

The Sri Lanka government, responding to the report, said it will continue the dialogue with the EU.

GoSL 'voluntarily agreed'

“The GoSL for its part will continue to engage with the European Institutions, in-keeping with the spirit of transparency and mutual respect that is appropriate to the historic and long standing relationship between Europe and Sri Lanka,” a statement issued by Sri Lanka foreign ministry said.

	Protecting human rights was among the key elements of the EU - SL agreement

Ravinatha Aryasinghe, the Sri Lankan ambassador for EU in Brussels, told BBC Sinhala service that the government initially considered the investigation as an attempt to intervene in internal affairs but has changed the position after the end of the conflict with the LTTE.

Insisting that it was never meant to be an intervention, Lutz Guellner said it is about proper implementation of a trade deal between two partners.

“This is not about sanctions. These were voluntarily agreed by the Sri Lanka government. This is about sticking to the elements of a deal that two sides have agreed,” he told the BBC.