Tue, 2012-09-18 02:35 — editor
Colombo, 18 September,
(Asiantribune.com):
The Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Sri Lanka in November next year will
be a historic moment for Sri Lanka to showcase the remarkable progress achieved
by the country to the wider world in the post-conflict era.
The Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L
Peiris made this comment, while addressing a distinguished gathering, following
the ceremonial inauguration of the Taskforce Secretariat for CHOGM 2013,
located at the BMICH premises in Colombo today (Monday, 17th September 2012).
Speaking
further, the Minister pointed out that Speakers of national Parliaments and other
parliamentarians who attended the recently concluded 58th session of the
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in Colombo were able to experience for
themselves at firsthand the peace and tranquility in the island, as well as
witness the impressive economic transformation that Sri Lanka is undergoing,
during their travel throughout the length and breadth of the country. These
delegates would be able to effectively counter the false and malicious
propaganda against Sri Lanka when they return home.Minister Prof. Peiris underscored the importance that the Government of President MahindaRajapaksa attaches to the successful organization of CHOGM 2013, and stated that he was extremely pleased that the Ministry of External Affairs had been able to arrange the inauguration of the Taskforce Secretariat for CHOGM 2013 within a short period of time. The Secretariat would serve as the nerve centre for coordinating the entire gamut of activities, including logistics, security and protocol relating not only to the Heads of Government meeting, but also to the Foreign Ministers and Senior Officials meetings preceding it, as well as parallel events such as the Commonwealth Business Forum, Commonwealth Youth Forum and the Commonwealth People’s Forum. 15 Sub-Committees have already been set up to coordinate the various activities that are envisaged.
The External Affairs Minister
opened the CHOGM 2013 Taskforce Secretariat by unveiling the plaque at the
auspicious time of 9.28 a.m., followed by the invocation of blessings by
members of the Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim and Christian clergy. A representative
gathering of distinguished public officials, including the Secretary to the
Prime Minister, Secretaries of line Ministries involved in the CHOGM, the Chief
of Defence Staff and Chairpersons of the Sub-Committees were present on the
occasion. A short promotional video film on Sri Lanka was also shown to the
audience. - Asian Tribune -
