GSP+ risk rises as Bandula Gunawardena warns alleged PTA misuse and human rights violations against Sallay could hit exports.
GSP+ risk has emerged as a serious concern after former Minister Bandula Gunawardena warned that alleged human rights violations against former intelligence chief Sallay could damage Sri Lanka’s European trade concessions.
Gunawardena said the misuse of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and alleged violations committed against Sallay could place Sri Lanka in danger of losing the European Union’s GSP+ benefits.
He pointed out that the European Union has long pressured Sri Lanka to either amend or repeal the PTA, citing concerns that the law is being misused.
The former Minister said complaints made to the Human Rights Commission regarding the alleged torture of Sallay, who he described as having performed a major national service as intelligence chief, could have a damaging international impact.
He warned that such matters being exposed globally could directly affect the international concessions currently received by Sri Lanka.
While Sallay was being held in Criminal Investigation Department custody, the CID itself admitted before the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka that he had been stripped naked and subjected to a rectal examination.
Sallay’s wife, Manori Sallay, told the media that although the CID had concealed the alleged inhuman act that took place on March 8, officials were forced to admit it before the Human Rights Commission.
The Commission has ordered the CID to produce CCTV footage and a list of officials connected to the degrading incident, in which Sallay was allegedly taken out of his cell, stripped naked and made to bend forward.
Sallay is continuing a hunger strike against what he calls ongoing injustice.
Doctors are currently trying to save his life at the Colombo National Hospital by providing liquid food through tubes.
He has reportedly been detained in a 6×4 foot cage with no ventilation, while lights were kept on 24 hours a day.
He was also allegedly forced to sleep on a cement floor for the first 40 days.
His wife alleges that Sallay, who suffers from migraines, has been systematically mentally tortured by being placed in a cell near a rat-infested toilet with a strong stench.
The European Union’s GSP+ trade concession is granted to Sri Lanka on the condition that the country practically implements 27 conventions covering international human rights, labour rights and environmental protections.
Under Article 2 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture, no person shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also absolutely prohibits torture.
Amending or abolishing the PTA to meet international standards, while ending the torture of detainees, remains a key condition Sri Lanka must fulfil to retain the GSP+ concession.
According to EU regulations, special missions are sent to investigate serious human rights violations in countries receiving GSP+ benefits.
Throughout the recent period, the European Union has repeatedly emphasized that the misuse of Sri Lanka’s PTA and the torture of detainees must be stopped immediately.
With allegations that such treatment was inflicted on a former intelligence chief even within CID custody, the upcoming EU delegation is likely to examine this incident closely.
This creates a serious risk that Sri Lanka could lose millions of dollars in GSP+ concessions, which remain critical to the country’s export sector, including the apparel industry.
