Colombo, Nov. 3 (Daily Mirror) - Former Foreign Affairs Minister and Joint Opposition Convener Prof. G.L. Peiris has warned that the proposed Organised Crime Bill and the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill could place Sri Lanka's GSP+ trade concession at risk.
Addressing a press conference in Colombo today (3), Prof. Peiris said the two proposed pieces of legislation were closely linked and could seriously damage Sri Lanka's international reputation, trade relations and investment prospects.
He said Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva had already raised serious concerns over the two Bills and advised the Government against passing them without fundamental amendments.
"The issue is not merely that these Bills could lead to widespread human rights violations. They also directly contradict the international commitments Sri Lanka has undertaken," he said.
Prof. Peiris said the GSP+ concession was particularly important to Sri Lanka's export industries and services, warning that its continuation could come under threat if the Bills were enacted in their present form.
He said criticism from the UN Human Rights Council was especially significant because of the connection between human rights commitments and the continuation of the GSP+ concession.
He warned that the possible loss of the concession could have serious consequences for the country's economy, particularly its exporters.
Prof. Peiris said the Government should carefully reconsider the proposed legislation, taking into account its possible impact on democratic freedoms, international relations and the economy.
He stressed that the two Bills should not be considered separately, as their combined impact could undermine fundamental rights and freedoms enjoyed by the people.
Silva Tuesday, 03 November 2026 04:42 PM
You are always giving false predictions
lion Tuesday, 03 November 2026 04:45 PM
This man said the same thing against the 22 amendment which was passed weeks ago.
R Navaratnam Tuesday, 03 November 2026 07:17 PM
This guy has forgotten his past on this matter when he was in previous administration.
Lanka Tuesday, 03 November 2026 07:27 PM
What can say about this prof! He has been in a wrong side for a long time , He has been a critique of all governments but till he was appointed for a post . This is not an objective academic approach
Sr Tuesday, 03 November 2026 08:02 PM
Some big country can always fill the gap. Seems, SL on a decisive path. Normal. Undergarment always important.
Iffath Wednesday, 04 November 2026 01:16 AM
Our country has some what of a good system to dispose the garbage, but we literally have no clue of how and where we could dump our expired politicians.
Jude Wednesday, 04 November 2026 01:42 AM
Hey GL scaremongering Not gonna work with this government. FYI we lost GSP before and we got it back.
Nihal S Wednesday, 04 November 2026 01:48 AM
Please retire from politics and relax, good for the country.
Thiruchelvam Chelliah Wednesday, 04 November 2026 03:30 AM
Hi! Prof, Where was this wisdom of your's when you were riding high Horse with MARA? Why you did not getread of the PTA at that time. Have you forgotten that you were the most enthusiastic supporter of the PTA when the people wanted to rid of the draconion rule? HYPOCRITE
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