EU ‘saddened’ by destruction of Mullivaikal monument but grants Sri Lanka 8.26 billion LKR

by Viruben
Jan 13, 2021

Responding to the destruction of the Mullivaikal monument at Jaffna university, the EU has responded issuing a statement stating that they were saddened by the destruction of the monument.

On Twitter they stated:

Saddened by destruction of monument at #Jaffna University. In view of this & other recent developments, EU is ready to step up its engagement with #SriLanka, including through an upcoming high-level meeting, to support inclusiveness, reconciliation & fair treatment of minorities.

— EU in Sri Lanka (@EU_in_Sri_Lanka) January 13, 2021

Despite this statement, the EU has provided 8.26 billion LKR to support the country’s “justice sector, food safety, and climate change mitigation”.

Last year the EU continued its favourable GSP+ trading preferences with Sri Lanka despite Sri Lanka’s numerous breaches of human rights law and failure to repeal the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, a key commitment made by Sri Lanka to secure a favourable trading relationship under the GSP+. In December the EU further announced 22 million euros in aid targeting the health, agriculture, and tourism industries.

Read the EU press statement here.

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