Feb 03, 2013 (LBO) – Sri Lanka should uphold rule of law and be committed to respect human rights to ensure that a planned Commonwealth summit in the island is well-attended, visiting UK foreign minister Alistair Burt has said. Sri Lanka is expected to host a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), but countries including Canada are expected not to attend over human rights issues.
A recent controversial impeachment of the island’s chief justice, intimidation and attacks on lawyers had cast another cloud over the future.
Minister Burt said Britain has not yet decided to attend the meeting.
“CHOGM is a time to recall the values uniting the Commonwealth values to which we have all freely agreed,” he said delivering speech at Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations in Colombo.
“As the UK has repeatedly stated we have not yet decided on the level of any attendance at CHOGM, but we will be looking to Sri Lanka, as we would any host, to demonstrate its commitment to upholding the Commonwealth values of good governance and democratic principles, adherence to the rule of law and respect for human rights.
“This will help ensure a well-attended and successful meeting.
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