Jan 12, Colombo: Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) and the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice have demanded that the Commonwealth take action against government of Sri Lanka since impeachment comes in direct contravention of a constitutional determination by the Sri Lankan Supreme Court.

"Events such as these are a clear violation of the Commonwealth (Latimer House) Principles on the Three Branches of Government. As such they should lead the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to pursue a process which leads, if there is not improvement, to Sri Lanka's suspension from the Commonwealth," the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative says in a statement.

The CHRI charges that the government for some time has not been in keeping with the fundamental values of the Commonwealth and serious and persistent violations of Commonwealth values by the government have repeatedly been brought to the attention of the Commonwealth groups including the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) and the Secretary-General.

The statement further says that, "The Sri Lankan actions - coming as they do in defiance of the Commonwealth's official caution - are clear evidence of its brazen determination to continue on a course inimical to the fundamental values of the association."

The organization called on the Commonwealth Secretary-General to immediately consult with the Chair of CMAG and call an extraordinary meeting as soon as possible to brief members (of the Commonwealth) on the situation and facilitate appropriate consideration.

The groups also called on all CMAG member states to take note of current developments in Sri Lanka and put them forward for inclusion as a formal agenda item at their next meeting.

Sri Lanka will host the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting in November.