The Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has said he will stand by his decision to boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka later this year, in response to calls for him to withdraw the threat.
"I have indicated that unless changes occur in Sri Lanka I will not be attending the Commonwealth summit there," Harper told the Canadian parliament.
"I am concerned with further developments, since I made that statement, which are taking that country in a worse direction."
See video below.
The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Kamalesh Sharma had urged Harper to drop the boycott threat, however Canada has increased pressure on Sri Lanka, reporting the country to the Commonwealth for violating its democratic values and calling for a strong resolution against Sri Lanka at the ongoing 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.
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