Human rights expert Yasmin Sooka has criticised the decision to go ahead with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka.
Sooka, who was on the Panel of Experts, appointed by Ban Ki-moon to investigate human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, said it must not be rewarded by hosting the event, as it was still perpetrating abuses against civilians.
"People continue to be tortured and disappeared," she told Australia’s ABC radio on Monday.
"Sri Lanka is quite frankly descending into a state where the rule of law no longer holds sway.
"In the absence of any action by the government of Sri Lanka, they should not be rewarded by being allowed to host CHOGM," she said.
Sooka praised Canada for saying it would boycott the meeting in November, but said she was surprised that other countries, such as Australia are taking “such a weak line”.
"I must say I'm surprised by Australia ... it's quite shocking," she said.
The Australian government has said it will not boycott CHOGM and claimed it had not seen any evidence that the government deliberately killed Tamils.