Sri Lanka has claimed it played a key role in preventing the suspension of Fiji from the Commonwealth forum at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), held in London, to discuss the recent political developments in Fiji.
Sri Lanka opposed the contention that Fiji should be expelled from Commonwealth of Nations and prevailed upon the CMAG with some other nations to reach a consensus decision to give the country enough time to revert back to a fully fledged democracy at a meeting in London, according to a Sri Lankan news website.
“Sri Lanka took a position expressing the declared policy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa that no sanctions or expulsions should be imposed on any nation as such conditions would create immense difficulties to the innocent people”, said Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told a reporter after the CMAG meeting held at the Marlbourough House in London.
The Foreign Ministry said Bogollagama emphasised that suspension of Fiji, as suggested by some member states, would not be beneficial to its people and would not be helpful in pressuring the military government.
“Referring to Sri Lanka’s policy as outlined by the President in the international fora that Sri Lanka is against imposition of economic or other sanctions on countries as such conditions would create immense difficulties to the innocent people.”
The statement said that Bogollagama reiterated that it is the duty of the Commonwealth to continue its dialogue with the interim government of Fiji and pursue democratic reforms in that country.
