Pakistan has been re-admitted to the Councils of the Commonwealth with immediate effect. This decision followed Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama's call at the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group(CMAG) meeting in London yesterday (May 12),when he made the opening statement and strongly urged the 9 member body to immediately lift Pakistan's suspension.

Speaking further, the Minister stated that following the full restoration of democracy in the country, Pakistan has complied with all conditions and requirements set down by the CMAG, and emphasized that Pakistan should no longer remain on the CMAG agenda. The CMAG unanimously adopted the Foreign Minister's proposal.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa had voiced Sri Lanka's strong objection to Pakistan's suspension at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kampala in November 2007.