CHOGM official website to be launched shortly

by Manjula Fernando

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will launch the official website of the CHOGM 2013, detailing the main agenda, dates, programs and venues connected to the event, in two weeks time.

A spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry said yesterday it will be around the same time Sri Lanka celebrates the fourth anniversary of eliminating 30 years of terrorism.

"Sri Lanka will be appointed head of the commonwealth for the next two years. This will be a rare opportunity for Sri Lanka and it will strengthen our image globally," spokesman, Rodney Perera said.

A Task Force appointed in September last year, headed by Monitoring MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena and the Commonwealth Secretariat in London had been closely working towards finalising the agenda and getting the dates cleared. External Affairs Ministry's Chief of Protocol, Malinda Jayasinghe is the CEO of the CHOGM 2013 Organising Committee. Meanwhile, the Telegraph quoting a spokesman for the British Prime Minister, David Cameron said the PM has decided to defy boycott calls and attend the meeting in Sri Lanka.He said, "The Prime Minister will use his visit to see the situation in the country for himself and be clear on what progress is needed."

External Affairs Ministry, spokesman said no member of Government had officially informed the Commonwealth Secretariat that they will boycott the November event.

An international Terrorism Expert, Prof. Rohan Gunaratna in an interview told the Sunday Observer last week, 'The focus of the LTTE rump overseas is to disrupt the CHOGM, one of the most prestigious global events, from being held in Sri Lanka.