Australia and Britain on Wednesday pushed for engaging with Sri Lanka rather than isolating it, ahead of the crucial CHOGM scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka. They encouraged countries to participate in the Commonwealth leaders’ meeting to be held in Sri Lanka in November.
At the United Nations in New York, where world leaders are gathered this week, Australia and Britain said Wednesday there remain important concerns about human rights and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, but also noted areas of progress. They encouraged countries to participate in the Commonwealth leaders’ meeting to be held in Sri Lanka in November. Human rights groups have urged a boycott.
“Sri Lanka will have an opportunity to show what progress has been made in areas of humanitarian support and human rights,” Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told reporters. She said more could be achieved by engaging Sri Lanka than by isolating it.
Bishop welcomed this week’s provincial elections in a region that was ravaged by the war, AP reports.
