Video: Sri Lanka needs GSP+ trade benefits - Patrick Basham interview
Despite its shortcomings, scrapping Sri Lanka's trade benefits would only impede its progress toward; an interview with Patrick Basham.
Patrick Basham directs the Democracy Institute and is a Cato Institute adjunct scholar.
The Democracy Institute is a politically independent public policy research organization based in Washington and London. Founded in 2006, this think tank serves to further public education through the production and dissemination of accessible commentary and scholarship.
5 Comments
Thank you Sir, pointing out that Sri Lanka is a sovereign country and EU or any other western country has no right to interfere internal matters. Remember Sri Lanka has more than 2500 years history and we do not bend to westerners for any unfair and injustice demands.
I do not agree. Till the country sorts out its gross abuse of human rights and the treatment meted out to Tamil civilians, granting of these benefits should be used as a leverage to get them to respect values of importance in a civilized world.
Keep saying "2500 years of history" and practice "jungle Law" You cannot fool the people all the time!!! No other community in the world is as naive as the Sinhalese community!!!!
Oh, yes! Sri Lanka does not need the pale-faced GSP+ whatever that means. You know that the GLP (G L Pieris aka Mr.Bean) is there to prosecute the West on this count sometimes with negotiations and sometimes with with his legal expertise he himself has difficulty in understanding.
No matter what happens, because of these clowns there is some commodity that is going to be cheaper and cheaper for able consumers - the unemployed girls on the street. Wouldn't Pakses would be happy about it, even if the Great Lowly Professor (GLP) will have no hand (oops!) to enjoy it?
one wonders whether this david basham guy was bribed to speak against the actions of EU. he is clearly groggy. EU has certain standards. and it applies to many nations that has gross disrespect for human rights such as zimbabwe, myanmar etc. EU nations will come under pressure from their voters if EU is seen as not taking any actions against nations that severe records of human rights. myanmar is one example. it is under trade sanctions subeject to the release of aung san syu khi from house arrest and hold free and fair elections. the myanmar regime had to rely on china for its survival. even china or india are not sacred for the EU. many EU nations invite and meet up with Dalai Lama even it means earning the wrath of beijing. robert mugabe and other govt officials of zimbabwe cannot travel to EU or USA due to gross violations of human rights.
the voters of EU and USA have much power over their politicians to maintain certain standards of human rights.
it is very unfortunate that many sri lankans dont have the full information about the power of voters of EU.
and lastly, it is very puzzling to see the sinhala people of sri lanka who are in the clear majority suffering from an insecurity complex. they never had to fear the minorities such as the tamils or muslims at any time. all they had to do is to work hard and build their nation. in singapore, the chinese community make up 78% and they never had any feelings of insecurity towards the 6% indians and 15 % malays. 1% of the singapore population is made up of eurasians.
one wonders whether the fear comes from being next door to india. nepal is much closer to india but they never had any fears of india. sri lankans need to get the fear of india out of their minds. india will face more trouble from the maoists in the future than what they are facing now.