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Britain mulls attendance at CHOGM: Burt
View(s):Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Alistair Burt, in a commentary written to a leading Canadian newspaper, has said that Britain has not yet made a decision on whether to attend the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka, in November.
Mr. Burt who was in Sri Lanka two weeks ago, in his commentary to the Globe and Mail newspaper, said this will be an important year in Sri Lanka because of the CHOGM, a time to recall the values uniting the Commonwealth. “The Government of Sri Lanka must think through exactly what will be seen when the international spotlight shines upon them. As host, we look to them, not only to adhere to Commonwealth values of good governance, the rule of law and human rights, but to champion them.”
He said that, fundamentally though, these are not simply Commonwealth values, but the foundations on which all societies flourish.” More importantly, they are Sri Lanka’s only route to genuine peace and a prosperous future for all its citizens; which are very much what the UK wishes for it.”
Stressing that Britain is a friend of Sri Lanka, Mr. Burt said President Rajapaksa has banished terrorism from his country and ushered in a new period of prosperity. He said an important first step would be implementing the recommendations of Sri Lanka’s own Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission.”
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