GL hails CHOGM 2013

Saturday, 30 November 2013 08:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris on Thursday highlighted the success of the recently concluded CHOGM 2013, identifying the high profile meeting of world leaders as an event aimed at increasing goodwill towards Sri Lanka and showcasing the country’s reality before the world. Minister Peiris who joined in the Budget debate in Parliament this week, said 51 of 53 member countries took part in CHOGM 2013

leaving out Fiji, which is suspended from the Commonwealth for the second time. “33 countries were represented by Kings, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Deputy Prime Ministers. All were here together and we upheld the values of the Commonwealth and thus took the issues of the small countries into the limelight,” he said. Minister Peiris said one world leader who had participated in five CHOGMs had identified CHOGM 2013 as the best ever. “Another world leader who is very good at criticising failed to find any faults or issues. Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak said investors are optimistic about doing business in Sri Lanka. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that complex issues remains after ending the war but they were happy to see the progress. President of South Africa Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma said developed countries have their own views about other countries but was happy to see the development here. Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott said Sri Lanka has emerged from trouble but more freedom and prosperity has come from peace,” said Minister Peiris to Parliament. He said that many had expressed the view that there were major differences between listening to the slander against Sri Lanka and seeing the reality in the country. “One person said that he expected Sri Lanka to be a smouldering and devastated country but saw a massive difference. They praised the organising and the development in Colombo city,” the Minister explained. Minister Peiris said that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif not only praised the country but donated $ 100,000 to a youth development project in Sri Lanka. “The Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott donated us two ships. Do you know the value of these vessels? Bangladesh considers Sri Lanka holding the CHOGM leadership a success for the entire region,” he added.