CHOGM 2013 to bona fide journalists

by Manjula Fernando

The CHOGM 2013 organising committee has selected the venues for the Commonwealth Heads of State meeting and connected events scheduled from November 15 Friday to - Sunday 17.

The inauguration of the Heads meeting will be at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre on November 15, the event's official website states.

As for preparations, the BMICH will serve as the main conference hall while the CHOGM Youth Forum will be held at the International Convention Centre, Hambantota. Colombo's Cinnamon Grand Hotel will accommodate the business Forum that will bring together business leaders from 54 countries and Waters Edge will serve as the Heads of State retreat.

An Australian delegation which looked into the Perth 2011 Heads' meeting preparations was here late June to discuss with the Task Force and subcommittee officials on the on-going preparations and share their expertise on different aspects of the Summit.

A day before the official opening and after the conclusion, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma will hold a joint press conferences to brief the media on the Summit and its outcome.

A communique issued by CHOGM sub committee on Media and Publicity, ICT Chairman Charitha Herath said, "The terms and condition for registration of media are the same as those of the Perth CHOGM in 2011."

It was issued following concerns raised by certain controversial international media figures that there was a move to block journalists critical of the Government's conduct from covering the event.

Herath said, "The Government of Sri Lanka, as host of the CHOGM 2013, welcomes all journalists to Sri Lanka to cover this important Summit, being a member of the Commonwealth of Nations for more than 60 years, Sri Lanka remains committed to Commonwealth values, including a free press". He said the event will be an 'excellent opportunity for international journalists to get a first-hand look at the developments in post-war Sri Lanka'.

Communications and Public Affairs Director of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Richard Uku also clarifying matters in a statement said the Secretariat is the final authority for international media accreditation and the process will involve host country authorities on issuing visas to accredited individuals according to the standard custom. However, he said media accreditation is open to all bona fide journalists.