Sri Lanka to demonstrate commitment to commonwealth values

Following a day of meetings with the senior government officials and members of opposition parties, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Minister for South Asia Alistair Burt, on his two-day visit in Sri Lanka addressed the gathering on ‘Sri Lanka 2013 and beyond’ at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies.

In a tough speech, the minister called on the Government to implement the LLRC report in full. He also looked at Sri Lanka, as host of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2013, to demonstrate its commitment to Commonwealth values.

The minister spoke about ‘the golden thread of development’ which the British Prime Minister David Cameron, has outlined in his capacity as current co-chair of the review of the UN millennium development goals.  

Minister Burt said “The golden thread describes the underlying conditions that provide the foundation for sustainable prosperity and development. Among these, first and foremost is an absence of war.

“It is clear that the end of the conflict in 2009 has underpinned your country’s recent growth.  The end of the scourge of terrorism has opened a new chapter. But an absence of war alone is not enough.  

Quoting David Cameron he said, “As David Cameron has said, we believe that true prosperity is not possible without good governance, property rights and the rule of law, effective public services and strong civil institutions, free and fair trade, and open markets.”

He then noted the UK’s concerns about the recent developments in Sri Lanka, from the impeachment of the Chief Justice to intimidating attacks on lawyers and others, and called on the Government to uphold human rights and the rule of law.

He also said that it is clear that scrutiny from the international community will be even more intense in 2013, the year that Sri Lanka is due to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.  

“CHOGM is a time to recall the values uniting the Commonwealth, values to which we have all freely agreed. 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,” he said.

“This will help ensure a well-attended and successful meeting. And I hope that it will be a helpful reminder of the golden thread. A way so that countries will ensure the necessary conditions for long term stability are in place.  

“An opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka’s development and opportunities to the world. This is an occasion for the rest of the world to invest in Sri Lanka’s economic and political future. “It is the responsibility of states to protect the rights and freedoms of every citizen, and it is the responsibility of Commonwealth members to remind each other of our declared common values.

He went onto explain that the Meeting will also be an opportunity for the Commonwealth and the wider world to see the situation for ourselves.

“We will do all we can to help you achieve these goals. But ultimately it is, of course, up to the Sri Lankan Government and people to shape the country’s future.”

Later the minister met Sri Lanka Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapakse, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and members of the opposition and civil society.