. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/L/301
17 June 1999
(99-2450)
SRI LANKA – ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW SCHEDULE VI
Extension of Time-Limit
Decision of 15 June 19991 2
Considering that the CONTRACTING PA RTIES to GATT 1947, by their Decision of
8 November 19883, suspended the application of the provisions of Article II of GATT 1947 to the extent
necessary to enable the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the Harmonized Commodity Description
and Coding System (Harmonized System) on 1 Janua ry 1989 and carry out negotiations subsequently;
Taking into account that, by successive Decisi ons, the time-limit of the waiver granted to
Sri Lanka has been extended until 30 April 19994.
Considering that by a Decision of 31 January 19955 the General Council established a list of
waivers existing at the entry into force of the WT O Agreement, which included the waiver granted to
Sri Lanka for the establishment of a new Schedule VI;
Taking into account that the documentation relevant  to the transposition of Sri Lanka's Schedule
into the Harmonized System was circulated  in document SECRET/HS/26 on 12 January 1990;
Considering that the Government of Sri Lanka has initiated Article XXV III negotiations with
four Members, and has made efforts to finalize negotiations by submitting revised offers to two
Members;
Considering that the Government of Sri Lanka has assured its trading partners in these
negotiations that every effort will be made to conclude the negotiations satisfactorily and in the
mutual interest of all concerned as soon as possible.
Considering that the Government of Sri Lanka, having fulfilled the requirements of paragraph 1
of the Understanding in Respect of Waivers of Obligations under the GATT 1994, has requested a
further extension of the exemption of its obligations under Article II of GATT 19946;
The General Council, acting pursuant to the prov isions of Article IX of the WTO Agreement,
                                                     
1 Granted with retroactive effect to 30 April 1999.
2 Adopted in accordance with the Decision-Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO
Agreement agreed by the General Council (WT/L/93).
3 BISD, 35S/22.
4 WT/L/279.
5 WT/L/3 and Corr.1.
6 G/L/296.WT/L/301
Page 2
Decides, in view of the exceptional circumstances outlined above, to extend the waiver granted
to Sri Lanka by the Decision of 8 November 1988, until 31 October 1999.
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