The Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper criticised Sri Lanka in his statement to mark Commonwealth Day.
Sri Lanka, the only country he highlighted, has “failed to uphold the Commonwealth’s core values” despite being the current chair of the Commonwealth, the Prime Minister said.
“Today, we strongly urge all members of the Commonwealth to reaffirm the values and principles captured in the Charter of the Commonwealth, including respect for human rights, the protection and promotion of religious freedom, and the need to oppose discrimination on any grounds. This is critical in order for the Commonwealth to remain relevant and credible as a values-based organization in the 21st century,
"In particular, I would also like to reiterate my concerns about the situation in Sri Lanka. As the current chair of the Commonwealth, the Sri Lankan government has failed to uphold the Commonwealth’s core values and we continue to urge them to respect human rights and the rule of law,” he said.
“The Commonwealth has traditionally been a beacon of democratic values for people around the world. Canada will continue to promote and support initiatives to ensure that this legacy is upheld as the organization moves forward into the future.”