‘Don’t turn C’wealth into punitive body’

BY Agencies17 Nov 2013 4:18 AM IST

With some countries like Britain and Canada seeking to bring human rights violations in the Sri Lankan war against LTTE under the scanner during the CHOGM summit, president Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday asked member nations not to turn the Commonwealth into a ‘punitive and judgemental’ body and desist from introducing bilateral agendas.

Welcoming heads of government and foreign ministers to the 22nd CHOGM summit, Rajapaksa made yet another combative speech on his country’s success in the battle against ‘30 years of terror’ and return of ‘peace’ in the island and appealed for a constructive engagement in the Commonwealth on issues like economic growth and eradication of poverty.

‘Make the Commonwealth a truly unique organisation for engaging in collaborative unity rather than indulging in prescriptive and divisive ways,’ he said in his opening remarks to the summit of the 53-member grouping.

India is represented by external affairs minister Salman Khurshid after prime minister Manmohan Singh called off his plans in the wake of stiff opposition from political parties in Tamil Nadu.

Deepak Obhrai, parliamentary secretary and representative of Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper and Arun Bullel, foreign minister of Mauritius were also present.

Both Harper and Mauritius prime minister Navin Chandra Ramgoolam, who will be hosting the next summit in his country, decided to boycott the summit citing the poor human rights record of Sri Lanka.

Prince Charles, deputising for his 87-year-old mother Queen Elizabeth II, and Australian prime minister Tony Abbott, the outgoing chair of the Commonwealth, were also present.

Thanking the Commonwealth countries for reposing confidence in his country to host the summit, Rajapaksa said this would greatly assist him in serving the country and taking it on the path of growth and development.

Asserting that his country has come to enjoy peace and stability after suffering from terrorism for the last 30 years, he said Sri Lanka has the greatest regard for human rights by standing by the right to life of the people.

‘In the past four years there has not been a single terrorist incident anywhere in Sri Lanka,’ he said to a round of clapping from the gathered audience.

The president said the Commonwealth nations must collectively find ways of facing challenges and to safeguard values close to them.

‘If the Commonwealth is to remain relevant the member countries of the association must respond to the needs of its people by not converting the body into a punitive and judgemental body by introducing bilateral agendas in the body against the Commonwealth traditions,’ he said.

‘Don’t turn C’wealth into punitive body’

Agencies

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