News
G.L mum on CHOGM expense
15 Jul, 2013
External Affairs Minister Professor G.L Peiris refused to divulge the expenses for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM) to be held in Sri Lanka this November.
Addressing the media today on the summit, the Minister said that instead of speaking about the expenses one must see what the country stands to gain from the summit.
He said this when asked how much the government is spending for the mega event which will see the participation of 54 commonwealth nations.
When asked how much of investments Sri Lanka hopes to make from the summit, the Minister said he was not in a position to give an exact figure.
Meanwhile, the External Affairs Minister said that no country has indicated it will not attend the summit.
There had been reports that Canada and a few other countries may boycott the event, but Minister Peiris said he expects all the countries to be represented.
“We want to encourage people to come and see with their own eyes what we have done. Don’t be misled by false propaganda,” the Minister added.
Professor Peiris noted that the summit is a good opportunity for Sri Lanka as the country will hold the Commonwealth chairmanship for two years.
This will also be the first time in 24 years that an Asian country is hosting the all important summit.
The External Affairs Minister said that the government hopes to market Sri Lanka as a major hub during the summit.
He said that Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa will hold a meeting with all political parties in Parliament next month to obtain their support for the summit as it is of national importance.?(Colombo Gazette)
Report by Easwaran Rutnam
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