A critical report by the Foreign Affairs Committee on the Commonwealth, which slammed the Commonwealth's decision to hold the 2013 Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo as "wrong", has received a dismissive response from the UK FCO.
A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office said it was "too early" to talk about Britain's presence at the meeting, reported the BBC.
He is reported to have said:
"We will look to Sri Lanka to demonstrate its commitment to upholding the Commonwealth values of good governance and respect for human rights,"
"A key part of this will be to address longstanding issues around accountability and reconciliation after the war."
The Foreign Affairs Committee concluded in its report released Wednesday:
"We conclude that continuing evidence of serious human rights abuses in Sri Lanka shows that the Commonwealth's decision to hold the 2013 CHOGM meeting in Colombo was wrong."
"The UK prime minister should publicly state his unwillingness to attend the meeting unless he receives convincing and independently verified evidence of substantial and sustainable improvements in human and political rights."
