GSP + is in the news again, with the reported decision of the European Commission to recommend the suspension of GSP + concessions to Sri Lanka. There have been many comments on this decision, some well informed, and others not so well informed. Significantly, however, the European Council has yet to take a decision on this matter. However, if push comes to shove, I agree with the Government's decision, to challenge the European Union [EU] in the WTO, by requesting the setting up of a Dispute Settlement Panel to adjudicate on this matter.

India in 2002 did this successfully against the EU in the WTO on a similar matter, which also related to the GSP. As a former head of the Commerce Department, and our representative to the GATT [now WTO] and UNCTAD, I had the good fortune to serve on a few of these Panels. These Panels function in a very professional manner, and some of its decisions have been against the bigger countries, like the USA, EU, Japan etc. I believe we have a strong case, and we should utilise the Dispute Settlement provisions of the WTO.

In this connection, I was surprised to read the remarks of the Leader of the Opposition, in a newspaper of the 22nd December, where he is reported to have spoken about a resolution brought against the EU by Sri Lanka, and whether other countries would support us. This betrays an ignorance of the manner the WTO works, and comes from a person who is assumed to be technically savvy. There is no question of bringing Resolutions in the WTO.

The WTO panel reports have to be complied with, (after appeal, if necessary). In case countries do not comply, sanctions are imposed against them. The Leader of the JVP, on his return from abroad, also made some remarks, which showed a lack of understanding of the GSP mechanism, I cannot visualise the leaders of the old Left parties making similar mistakes. I had the pleasure of listening to them in the old Parliament, and leaders like Pieter Keuneman and Bernard Soysa, used to dissect the Budgets, with style and substance. My classmate, Sarath Muthetuwegama took over later, and was a virtual one man opposition in the post 1977 Parliament.