Colombo, May 24 — Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said the Commonwealth remains “a really important forum” for member countries as geopolitical tensions and instability grow. The comments followed her first official meeting with Commonwealth Secretary‑General Shirley Botchwey at Marlborough House on May 21, 2026.
Amarasuriya said institutions like the Commonwealth help build trust and promote understanding during periods of global uncertainty. She warned that multilateralism is under pressure and international law is increasingly being challenged, arguing that cooperative bodies are therefore more necessary than ever.
“This is a really important forum where the value of co‑operation, the value of collaboration and the value of partnership … becomes more meaningful,” she said, adding that the Commonwealth’s diverse membership gives it a unique role in bringing countries together and ensuring different voices are heard.
Reflecting on current conflicts, the prime minister noted that crises far from Sri Lanka have direct local impacts, pointing to rising costs for food, fuel and fertiliser caused by the Middle East situation. “The conflict that we are seeing in the world is not something that is good for anyone… As a government, we are trying our best to cushion the impact on our people because we think our people deserve a break. But I think the whole world deserves a break right now,” she said.
Amarasuriya urged the Commonwealth to seize this moment to transition into a more relevant, effective organisation that can uphold cooperation and shared values. (ANI — syndicated)
