CHOGM 2013 groundwork under way:

Canada and UK among reps now in Lanka

by Manjula Fernando

Representatives of Canada and UK are among the teams now in Sri Lanka on an advance visit to inspect the arrangements for the forthcoming CHOGM 2013 as part of laying the groundwork for the high level foreign delegations.

The country representatives will tour all venues in Colombo, Hambantota and Galle escorted by the CHOGM task force staff as part of an orientation program on how the conference will be conducted. They are also being briefed on the progress of the work so far.

“The delegates were briefed on the security arrangements, accommodation, transport and media facilities during the event, CHOGM 2013 Task Force spokesperson said.

Over 70 representatives from 15 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada, Malaysia and several countries from the African continent are in the advance team.

They visited the venues in Colombo including the BMICH and Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre yesterday and will travel to the south today to inspect the work in progress in Galle including the Chaaya Tranz, Hikkaduwa where the CHOGM 2013 parallel event, Commonwealth People’s Forum will be held.

They will also visit the Mattala airport and the International Convention Centre in Hambantota today where the CHOGM Youth Forum will be held. The briefing session for the country representatives will conclude today.

The events associated with CHOGM 2013 will take place from November 10 – 17 while the main conference will be held from November 15 – 17.