EU Lifts Ban on Lankan Fish Exports
COLOMBO:The European Commission’s decision to lift the red card on Sri Lanka’s fish exports to the European Union, has been welcomed by the Lankan Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera.
EU markets accounted for 68 percent of Lanka’s fish exports, valued at USD 108 million per annum.
The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government, elected on January 8, 2015, took immediate measures to get the ban lifted by getting fishermen to adhere to the EU's requirements regarding methods of fishing.
In January this year, 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.
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 Lanka’s international fishing obligations and secure a successful outcome in negotiations with the EU.