The government will continue to engage with the European Commission to retain the GSP+ within certain parameters determined by Sri Lanka but is not prepared to betray the country's sovereignty for the sake of receiving any tariff concessions, Minister of Export Development and International Trade, Prof. G. L. Peiris said.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing yesterday (18 Feb), the Minister said the government will continue its policy without giving into any unfair demands.

"Sri Lanka cannot make national sacrifices to sell the country to obtain the GSP+ facility," Minister Peiris said.

The Minister assured that the country would not be hurt economically by the loss of the EC trade concession as anticipating the move, all the remedial measures had been taken to maintain the economy.