The European Union has said that its development aid to Sri Lanka would continue unhindered despite the 'acrimonious exchanges' between the two over the island's human rights record, said the EU's top diplomat in Colombo.

"Relations between Sri Lanka and Europe are much bigger than the GSP Plus issue," said ambassador Bernard Savage, in an interview with IPS.

He has said that EU projects in Sri Lanka would not be affected even if the country's application for a continuation of the export concession was refused.

"We are about to start several projects in the north and the east," the EU ambassador has said.