The European Union has decided to withdraw Sri Lanka's preferential trade access to EU markets after it failed to improve its human rights record. The concessions will be stopped on 15 August on a temporary basis. The move follows Sri Lanka's refusal to implement human right conventions. The deal, known as GSP Plus, gives 16 developing countries trade benefits in return for set commitments. Sri Lankan officials say the demands amount to interference in its affairs.The Sri Lankan government has faced repeated accusations of human rights violations carried out during its civil war against Tamil Tiger rebels, which the military won in 2009.