The GSP Plus facility is not a political tool meant to punish anybody. It is only a mechanism to measure implementation of 27 conventions to which Sri Lanka has been a signatory. This is administed by the different UN organizations and all we do is to be guided by the information available at the UN on the level of implementation by each of the signatories of these conventions which cover labour regulations and human rights, said the German Ambassador in Sri Lanka Jurgen Weerth.

He was addressing the 15th Business for Peace Forum on "Maintaining the balance of peace and economic growth in Sri Lanka: The German perspective" at the Jaic Hilton on Thursday.

He added "We have done our best to emphasize that the conflict cannot be solved through military means, the only way out is through a political solution".

We have been your friends in the past and at present and we will also continue to be your friends in the future as well. However we cannot go against our basic principles. It is now a question of waiting for Sri Lanka to come up with a home grown political solution and no soon peace returns, we will recommence our development activities which is now in a state of hibernation.

Our people question us as to why their funds should be sent to a country which spends more on arms than on schools and hospitals and why should their monies be spent on infrastructure which will not last through the next round of hostilities.

You make various statements about foreign investment, but must realize that an investor who ventures out of his own country leaves behind all the facilities that he could enjoy, why should he take such a decision unless sufficient facilities are available in such country.

Most important are basic infrastructure, followed by the level of corruption and the rule of law. If the rule of law is not effectively enforced, how do you expect foreign investors to establish business operations in such a country.

Sri Lanka is a respected member of the international community, with great potential that has yet to be exploited,and it is not being treated as a group of indisciplined terrorist who respect no law.

We are eagerly awaiting Sri Lanka to come up with its own solution and we, not only Germany or the European Union, but all developed countries will assist in bringing back Sri Lanka to its former pristine glory as a shining example of a vibrant democracy where all people live in peace and harmony.

This is our wish but we cannot impose our own solution to your problem, you have to come up with your own solution, you have the capacity to do so. Everything will fall in place thereafter, he concluded.