Sri Lanka is calling on the Interim Government to uphold the March 2009 election to have a democratic government in the country.

While addressing the 30th meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial in New York over the weekend, the Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Rohita Bogollagama emphasized the need for a time bound approach to facilitate Fiji's return to democracy. He said if the conditions are not fulfilled, the Commonwealth will have to consider further action after taking ground realities into account.

Sri Lanka's National Newspaper, The Daily report Bogol-la-gama as saying that role being performed by the Pacific Island Forum is important in bringing about a democratic solution to the question of governance in Fiji.

He pointed out that while a "Presidential Forum" to facilitate political dialogue for electoral reforms was a positive initiative, it has been affected to a number of disagreements among the stakeholders. He said the issues are not impossible but needed the sincere political will to this end.

Bogol-lagama stated that Sri Lanka supports the continued regional and international efforts to achieve legitimate democratic rule in Fiji and requested the Commonwealth Secretary General to continue his engagement in his endeavor.