CHOGM, a historic wonder

By Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa

“I have behind me not only the splendid traditions and the annals of more than a thousand years but the living strength and majesty of the commonwealth and Empire; of societies old and new; of lands and races different in history and origins but all, by God's will, united in spirit and in aim.”

- Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth

The ever-evolving historical destinies of man have endowed upon Sri Lanka a scintillating moment of rare radiance.

This unprecedented time-slot will dawn on our island, when we host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), here in Sri Lanka, from November 10 to 17. At this prestigious assembly of global leaders, the Prime Minister of Australia will pass on to President Mahinda Rajapaksa the position of chairperson-in-office until the biennial CHOGAM takes place next in Mauritius, in 2015.

A rationale for the spirited prestige we attribute to this event is certainly called for.

Decolonisation

But, before that, it is essential to focus attention on the expression, “Commonwealth.” Many tend to interpret its significance by resorting to the popular meaning of the word, “wealth,” which is generally rendered as “riches,” “opulence,”“affluence”. The strong and stark association of the word 'wealth’, with monetary and material values is difficult to be curbed. Contrary to that interpretation, the segment “wealth” in the expression “commonwealth,” implies “welfare” and “well-being.” Viewed in this light, “commonwealth” projects the idea of a body made up of members who have come together, to ensure the welfare of all in the group. History has not lacked entities, that were described by the appellation, “Commonwealth.”

Objectively viewed the crown-jewel of all those commonwealths, in the annals of man, without even a trace of doubt is, of course, the British Commonwealth of Nations.

If we take a prolonged perspective of its evolution, the British Commonwealth dates back to the late 19th century.

With the decolonisation of the British Empire, through increased self-governance of its territories, a new era in the empire occurred. But, in terms of historical reality, the process that led to the present “personality” of the British Commonwealth, was the promulgation of the London Declaration of 1949, that formally established the Commonwealth.

The official 54 member-states of the Commonwealth are “free and equal,” in status.

As the Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, symbolises this free association.

In the absence of mutually binding legal obligations, these member states are held together by a whole series of golden strands, which represent such perennial humane assets as language, history, culture, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

This massive store-house of ruling talents functions without imposed constraints of regulatory restrictions as it were. Given this background, the commonwealth pre-eminently qualifies for the sobriquet “Historic Wonder.”

If you delve, at least peripherally into the imperial conglomerates in human history, the 'wonder’ of the British Commonwealth, will invariably continue to grow.

Let us cast a brief glance at some of those vaunted Empires of the far-past.

The Persian Empire of the second-half of the sixth century BC, extended from the North West of India to the Eastern Mediterranean. Alexander had the builders of the Persian Empire destroyed.

In turn, Alexander the Great put together his own Empire - massive in power and proportion. On his death, that vast imperial domain dwindled and disintegrated.

The meticulously planned, elaborately administered Roman Empire was wrecked by the trans-riverine tribesmen.

When those mighty Empires fell, their super-power authors were never approached by their erstwhile subjects, offering their willingness to establish collaborative arrangements with those ex-imperial powers. Those former subjects, never manifested a desire to live in amicable co-existence with their former imperial lieges.

In the whole of recorded human history, such a stunning transformation happened, perhaps only in the instance of the British Empire.

Association

Those states, which were under the sway of the British Empire, over which the sun never set, are currently members of the Commonwealth “free and equal” in status, by choice.

As the Head of the Commonwealth Queen Elizabeth II majestically symbolises this free association.

The “suppressed subjects,” are presently the dynamic partners of the commonwealth, entitled to a democratic say, about the conduct of the organisation.

To my mind, this unparalleled achievement of the British Commonwealth of Nations, is nothing short of a “Historic wonder.”

I am even tempted to proceed a further step and pronounce this phenomenon a “Historic miracle.” What we have here, in fact, is a kind of “Reverse Empire,” in which the erst-while colonies unite to form a new “free and equal” realm, with the blessings of the former imperial power.

When everything is said and done, what we are meeting here is a strange and exceptional political entity, with a mystique of its own.

Mantra

The very sound of the acronym CHOGM, in near universal use, resonates like a potent mantra. As of today, we are quite close to the 23rd session of CHOGM.

The Commonwealth is the third largest global organisation, in terms of population - after the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement.

The intricate aspects of the administration of CHOGM, are under the supervision of the secretariat, headed by the Commonwealth Secretary General.

The current holder of this august office is Kamalesh Sharma, who belongs to a prestigious tradition.

When CHOGM 23, taken place in Sri Lanka, the visiting stalwarts, will experience a gentle and compassionate culture, that has enlivened the 25 centuries of life in this island citadel. Sri Lanka has always been a mild but has defiant way of existence.

The ‘defiance’ was needed to keep off those influences that may mar our peace-loving attitude towards life.

The visiting leaders, will meet a land, where they will invariably discover a group of people, who have asserted their freedom, under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has pre-eminently displayed the power of Metta (compassion) over the evil weapons wielded by inhuman heroes.

In such a land of peace and harmony, the visiting leaders will discover ways and means, to greater enhancements to the Commonwealth.

They will strengthen the principle, that harshness should not be allowed to mar, even vestigially, the free and equal historic wonder, the members of the Commonwealth have added to human history.