Sri Lanka strongly supports Pakistan - Govt Chief Whip

Chaminda Perera and Rasika Somaratne

Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle said President Mahinda Rajapaksa has clearly apprised of Sri Lanka’s stance over the suspension of Pakistan from the Commonwealth of Nations and this issue has in no way made an impact on Sri Lanka’s relations with Pakistan.

Minister Fernandopulle was speaking at a press briefing on the current situation in the country at the Information Department yesterday.

He conveyed Sri Lanka’s strong protest against the Commonwealth’s resolution to suspend Pakistan from the Movement. The Prime Minster also informed Parliament on the Government’s stance over this issue on Monday.

“I don’t think Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama had done anything contrary to Sri Lanka’s foreign policy. He had discussed this issue at the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting for over 10 hours.

Only Sri Lanka and Malaysia have opposed this move. The Cabinet of Ministers unanimously stood up for Pakistan and its decision was conveyed to the President too.

Pakistan has helped us tremendously when the country was in distress. She came forward to supply rice to Sri Lanka”, he said.