Lanka spearheads Pakistan’s re-entry to Commonwealth

LONDON: Pakistan has been re-admitted to the Councils of the Commonwealth with immediate effect.

This decision followed Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama’s call at the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) meeting in London yesterday, when he made the opening statement and strongly urged the nine member body to immediately lift Pakistan’s suspension.

The Minister stated that following the full restoration of democracy in the country, Pakistan has complied with all conditions and requirements set down by the CMAG, and emphasised that Pakistan should no longer remain on the CMAG agenda. The CMAG unanimously adopted the Foreign Minister’s proposal.

Minister Bogollagama had vigorously opposed the decision to suspend Pakistan from the Councils of the Commonweal that the CMAG meetings in London and Kampala last November.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa too had voiced Sri Lanka’s strong objection to Pakistan’s suspension at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kampala in November 2007.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Shezhad Chowdury, upon learning the news of Pakistan’s re-admission to the Commonwealth fold, immediately telephoned the Foreign Minister to convey his profound appreciation for Sri Lanka’s initiative in this regard, stating that this gesture symbolised the abiding ties of friendship and goodwill between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.