There is no need for constitutional amendments to obtain GSP + benefits,nor is it a condition put forward by the European Union, International Trade Minister G.L.Peiris said yesterday.

He told the weekly cabinet press briefing that the government was not prepared to amend the constitution, since human rights and fundamental freedoms are guranteed by the Sri Lankan Constitution.

Questioned, if the government would accept Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s offer to help resolve the GSP + issue, Peiris said that the Supreme Court has already given its interpretation on the matter and there was no need for second assessments or amendments to the Constitution.

"Our problems have to be resolved by us. We, nor the people of this country want to hand over our legal powers to the international community."

Sri Lanka, he said has a per capita income of US $ 1650 and human resources is its main strength. "What we are looking at is not just aid, but trade concessions to market our products in the international market. Sri Lankan garments are much sought after in the developed world."

Pieris, said that the action taken by many governments to curb LTTE activities was appreciated, but the need of the hour was a concerted effort to stop its international sources of funding.