Travel ban on Sirisena & Co.

President Maithripala Sirisena and the first family are facing a potential travel ban from the European Union, diplomatic sources said.

According to sources, the decision to impose a travel ban on president Sirisena and his family will be reviewed at a special meeting of the EU’s European External Action Service (EEAS) which has been scheduled to meet next week. 

It was reported that the constitutional crisis that has engulfed the island nation is high on the agenda of the EEAS meeting. The EU has already warned Sri Lanka that the prevailing political crisis could further delay and damage the island’s international reputation and deter investors.

“We consider it essential that Parliament be allowed to demonstrate its confidence by voting immediately when reconvened, in order to resolve the serious uncertainties currently facing the country,” the EU said. 
 
In the absence of adhering to democratic principles by president Sirisena, even after repeated requests by the EU and the international community, has pushed the EU to propose the removal of the GSP+ duty concessions given to Sri Lanka.
 
However, all parties fighting to preserve democracy, the rule of law and its commitments to good governance, have implored the EU representatives that a decision to revoke the GSP+ benefits would only affect the general population and cause immense hardship. Ranil Wickremesinghe too had echoed the same sentiments, urging the EU not to revoke the GSP+ duty concessions, during his meeting with foreign envoys earlier this week.

As such, diplomatic sources said that the EU will consider taking direct measures against the architects of these unconstitutional actions rather than imposing blanket measures that would severely affect millions of ordinary Sri Lankans.