A monitoring mission from the European Union (EU) will visit Sri Lanka from April 28 to May 7, 2025, to assess the country’s progress in meeting the conditions required for continued access to GSP+ trade preferences. This visit is part of the EU’s regular biannual review process.

During the mission, EU representatives will engage with government officials, institutions, politicians, civil society, trade unions, and business associations, and will also conduct site visits across the country.

Sri Lanka is one of eight low- or lower-middle income countries benefiting from the GSP+ scheme, a special incentive arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance. Eligibility requires the ratification and effective implementation of 27 international conventions related to human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, climate change, and good governance.

The EU, comprising 27 member states with a population of 450 million, is Sri Lanka’s second-largest export market. In 2024, Sri Lanka exported goods worth €2.7 billion to the EU, with 85% of these exports enjoying duty-free access under GSP+.

(News 1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

Dozens of world leaders and thousands of mourners are gathering for the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday aged 88.

The service will begin at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST) in front of St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

More than 250,000 people came to pay their respects to the late pontiff over the three days he was lying in state, the Vatican says.

Preparations have begun for the conclave, the process by which cardinals will elect the next Pope.

In Sri Lanka, the government has declared today a national day of mourning in honour of the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism – Vijitha Herath will represent the Government of Sri Lanka at the funeral.

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A 29-year-old businessman from the Heenatiya area in Katunayaka was injured in a shooting incident this morning, Katunayake Police said.

According to police, the incident occurred around 5:35 a.m. when two individuals arrived at his residence armed with T-56 type firearms and opened fire.
The businessman, who is involved in money lending and operates several businesses, was asleep in a room with his father at the time of the attack.

The two gunmen, who came on a motorcycle, fired at the businessman. Police reported that two shots were directed at him.

He was initially admitted to the Minuwangoda Base Hospital for treatment and later transferred to the Minuwangoda District Hospital for further medical care.

Police recovered two empty cartridges from the room where the shooting took place.

Investigations are being carried out on the instructions of Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Negombo Division, Dharmasena, and under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent of Police for the Katunayake area, Lal Chandrasiri. Chief Inspector Dinesh Kumarasinghe, Officer-in-Charge of the Katunayake Police, along with OIC of the Criminal Investigation Division Daham Marasinghe and other officers, are continuing inquiries into the incident.

(dailymirror.lk)

(This story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)