Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera welcomed the European Commission’s decision to lift the red card on Sri Lanka’s fish exports to the European Union. “The lifting of the red card will allow Sri Lanka to resume fish exports to the EU’s 28 member countries. EU markets accounted for 68 percent of Sri Lanka’s fish exports, amounting to 108 million dollars and livelihood for thousands of fishermen and their families,” Samaraweera said in a statement.
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera meeting EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries on 28th January 2015 in Brussels
The EU Commission initially issued Sri Lanka a yellow card in 2012. After repeated warnings on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing rule compliance failure it announced a ban on fish exports to the EU in October 2014.
“The new government, elected on the 8th of January 2015, took immediate measures to fulfil its manifesto commitment found at Point 65 of President Sirisena’s 100 Day Work Programme which states, “measures will be taken to revive the European Union market from which our fish is now being excluded.” On the 13th of January, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe wrote to the EU High Representative on Foreign Affairs, Fredrica Moghernini, requesting that the EU and Sri Lanka work together to address the issues which initiated the process for lifting the ban,” Samarasinghe said.
Given the importance of lifting the ban, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s second visit overseas after assuming duties as Foreign Minister was to Brussels at the end of January. Negotiations for lifting the ban were initiated during this visit. Over the last year and a quarter, the Minister of Fisheries and the relevant government departments have been working hard to ensure compliance with Sri Lanka’s international fishing obligations and secure a successful outcome in negotiations with the EU.
“The EU’s recommendation to life the ban is the culmination of this process. The EU Commission’s recommendation has been forwarded to the EU Council and is expected to come into legal effect by July,” the statement added.
Samaraweera also said that the government is looking forward to further close engagement with the EU on regaining the GSP+ concessions and sustainable development of martime resources as part of the government’s strategy for harnessing Sri Lanka’s rich ocean assets.
Analyst / April 22, 2016
MINISTRY OF CORRUPTION …. That will be the best for Srilankan High Profile CROOKS to be observed and Punished .
The Ministry to Prosecute and Charge CORRUPT State Officials from the ( Law and order , Education, Health service, and Environment )
Also the CORRUPT Politicians should be watched and Punished, Absolutely.
This is the only way to bring the country forward to match the Civilised world.
At present we have produced Maids and servants to clean the Middle Eastern Houses, also have produced crooks and murderers internationally.
We should be ASHAMED OF the disgrace brought to our country by these people.
These crooks and murderers are not only the simpletons of SL but has had connections with high Profile Politicians and so on.
They make SL a Pariah state known internationally.
No point in saying once the state wealth had been stolen and calling names as such. ” Tsunami Hora ” School. Hora, and State Funds Hora.
CREATING ” The ministry of Corruption ” is the best solution consisting of True Lawmakers to perceive and Punish the Corrupts.
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Amarasiri / April 22, 2016
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera
. “The lifting of the red card will allow Sri Lanka to resume fish exports to the EU’s 28 member countries. EU markets accounted for 68 percent of Sri Lanka’s fish exports, amounting to 108 million dollars and livelihood for thousands of fishermen and their families,” Samaraweera said in a statement.
Yes, get back the Fish business. A lot of people depend on it, and the foreign exchange is needed.
Right now India is taking that along with the fish.
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Malu Malu / April 22, 2016
We sell our good fish to EU and import rotten canned fish. The fresh fish price will go up and the poor folks might have to give up eating ‘Malu Hodi’
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Analyst / April 22, 2016
Mali Malu
You mean like imported rotten fish in tins with processed Frog from China ??? which was highlighted in Srilankan Media last month. Hope you have not missed reading it.
This is what you get when you vote for CORRUPT POLITICIANS.
BRING ON ” THE MINISTRY OF CORRUPTION “
I am not joking ! It’s been in the formation in other Nations too.
Vote for Corrupt Politicians you will not see better days in Srilanka other than Eat other countries Discarded Dirt , Unless you shop in Cargills ! Ok??
But what guarantee even Cargills sells the BEST ?
OR SHOP ONLINE FROM HARRODS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM or Macey’s in USA. There’s no guarantee even these sells the Best.
Every one likes to eat clean healthy food of course but not imported Rubbish , which were imported By the Corrupt Politicians.
World is a play ground for Money Swindlers as long as we are not Fooled by the corrupt leaders who spends our state money and feed us ( import) poison or discarded food from other nations and import them CHeaply into our country.
This is why we need To Elect Good Politicians.
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K A Sumanasekera / April 22, 2016
WOW..Pretty Mangalan gets the ban lifted.
Now Colombosiders will be paying LKR 1500 upwards for Thalapath at KEELS.
And Yahapalana Budget can be balanced with the mighty Euros flowing in to Singaporean’s Vault .
Will Batalanda call an Election to finish off the Sira Faction and take total control of the Yahapalana parliament to give Sambandan the Federal State of the North East…
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Native Vedda / April 22, 2016
K A Sumanasekera
“And Yahapalana Budget can be balanced with the mighty Euros flowing in to Singaporean’s Vault”
Does the Singaporean own Malu Market?
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Pistachio / April 22, 2016
K A Sumanasekera ,
“”Now Colombosiders will be paying LKR 1500 upwards for Thalapath at KEELS. “
There is much fish only in the north and east so your dalit boys should be gainfully employed with protein than parripu.
cheers to EU because as it is kingfish(Thora) comes to EU from India and there is plenty- London Tuesday delivery.
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jim softy / April 22, 2016
Ban will be lifted in 14 months.
What is the sacrifice for that, A gang will come to establish human rights ?
when they were blind the whole middle east were destroyed and ISIS was established and ISIS was robbing Syria to support Turkey and Israel ?
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SJ / April 23, 2016
Is it not time that the government decided to apply the law firmly on poaching in Sri Lankan waters by Indian trawlers?
The Navy has the will and the Northern fishers are supportive, but Tamil leaders are playing it down while ‘diplomatic’ pressure gets the culprits free in a matter of days after arrest.
A firm stand of the government will win the hearts of the Northern fishers; expose the hypocrisy of the TNA and the TPNF; and be an act of defiance against hegemonic bullying?
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jim softy / April 23, 2016
The Navy has the will and the Northern fishers are supportive, but Tamil leaders are playing it down while ‘diplomatic’ pressure gets the culprits free in a matter of days after arrest.
Tamils politicians screwing up Tamils.
Good information.
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colin / April 23, 2016
Some of the comments are disgusting.In s much as people throw brickbats lets now throw the roses.Ranil and Mangala have done a fantastic job by getting the ban lifted. The ones who are screaming with their adverse remarks could be classified as not being patriotic. Look at the employment this effort is going to re generate and the valuable forex its going to bring into the country.
Heap it on Ranil and Mangala and now using your diplomatic skills try and restore the GSP which will silence your critics especially on the CT panel
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shankar / April 25, 2016
” Sri Lanka Welcomes EU Decision To Lift Ban”
sounds rather fishy to me. Srilankan bhuddhists also welcome the decision not to eat any fish anymore.The europeans will not go to nirvana like our bhuddhists.
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