Attention of business leaders from 54 countries to be drawn:

Lanka’s booming investments, trade potential, the focus at CHOGM

by Manjula FERNANDO

Sri Lanka will draw the attention of business leaders from 54 countries to its booming investment and trade potential in the country, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that will be opened in Perth, Western Australia next week.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris told the Sunday Observer that the business forum of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will focus on Sri Lanka at the biennial conference from October 28-30. “The business forum will attract our attention. Sri Lanka is participating in that,” he said.

Referring to the disturbing reports in Australia of war crimes charges against the Sri Lankan envoy and the Security Forces, whipped up by some human rights organisations and sections of the Tamil diaspora, the Minster said Sri Lanka was not disturbed over the reports.

“The Commonwealth does not examine domestic issues of countries. It is not that kind of organisation. It is a voluntary association,” he said. The Minister said, “This year there is a focus on several issues which are of interest to the Commonwealth. International trade is one area, migration is another topic.

Commonwealth leaders will also focus on food security, climate change and sustainable development.” He said these were some of the key issues that will be up for deliberation to reach a consensus on collective action, among the leaders of the Commonwealth.

The meeting of foreign ministers and Heads of Government will be preceded by a youth forum and a people’s forum.

Over 1,000 journalists have registered to cover the conference this year. “There will be opportunities for bi-lateral meetings on the sidelines of the CHOGM. These are opportunities of value,” Prof. Peiris said. The Commonwealth leaders met in the southern Caribbean state of Trinidad and Tobago in 2009 and the meeting will be held in 2013 in Sri Lanka, which is also vying to hold the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Hambantota.