Benefits of CHOGM in Sri Lanka enormous

by Manjula Fernando

The excitement over hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka is seen all over the country with the beautification of Colombo and other cities hosting the summit and its side events put on fast track by the Government. Speculation over undisclosed expenditure, the number of heads of governments boycotting the summit and last minute development activities too have hit a new level for lately, everyone is talking about the CHOGM.

On top of everything, allegations of human rights violations were being whipped up by political players and LTTE propagandists in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere, in a final bid to disrupt one of the biggest events in the global calender from being held in Sri Lanka and moreover, preventing President Mahinda Rajapaksa from taking the reigns of the organisation for the coming two years.

The Sunday Observer met Foreign Secretary Karunatilaka Amunugama last week to seek answers to these issues and inquire on the progress of the preparations for the summit.

Q: What is the relevance of the Commonwealth to Sri Lanka in the current context and why do you think we should remain in the organisation?

A: Being in a multilateral association is always beneficial to a member country. It gives the opportunity to listen to others from a privileged distance and to have a better understanding of their problems, explain the situation in one's country and be a part of collective approaches towards regional or international issues.

We are proud to be a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and adhere to its values. Sri Lanka is one of its founding members.

The Commonwealth's engagement with Sri Lanka and other countries is a two-way process. It shares views and helps member countries to overcome particular situations. When other states or the international community express concern about a particular member, the Secretariat engages with them in a gentle manner. The outcome would be to the satisfaction of both parties. The concerns are addressed as part of the Commonwealth responsibility.

They sometimes work as a buffer or a bridge between the international community and the member state. Their approach of engagement with Sri Lanka is positive and we appreciate and value this.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is not directly involved in Sri Lanka's reconciliation process. The Commonwealth does not interfere with internal affairs of other countries. This is one of its distinct features.

What happened in Sri Lanka was an internal matter between a terrorist group and a legitimate government. It was a fight against terrorism and not a fight against a particular community or an ethnic group.

Q: It has been said and the sentiments echoed by acclaimed personalities such as Bradman Weerakoon, that CHOGM is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Sri Lanka to clear its good name from negative propaganda?

A: After the battle, we thought that terrorism was over. But now, there is a new breed of terrorism. A section which supports terrorism and the terrorist ideology of separatism works against Sri Lanka and the unity of its people.

They lobby foreign governments and policy makers and influence the media in a bid to paint a different picture of Sri Lanka.

We cannot counter each and every one of these propaganda efforts, it is beyond the bounds of possibility to approach everyone individually and give our side of the story. In that sense, the huge media coverage for CHOGM will help expose this false, negative publicity.

The media will have the opportunity to meet a cross-section of the people including those on the ground making a real effort to bring a new era of development to the affected area.

The critics of the Government fail to talk about the atrocities committed by the LTTE during the past 30 years. They destroyed hospitals, schools and infrastructure, killed thousands of their own people, destroyed their culture and values.

Frankly speaking, the LTTE has done more damage to the North than any other part of the country. They have prevented the progress, liberation and the well-being of the people in the North.

Delegates would be able to tour the entire country, visit Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Mannar and see the amazing transformation.

Q: Despite the pleas by the Government to visit Sri Lanka and see the change, the calls to boycott CHOGM in Sri Lanka are still strong in Tamil Nadu, Canada and Britain. What is the rationale behind this call, if anyone wants to know the truth, shouldn't they advocate people to visit the country?

A: I don't know any other rationale behind the call for a boycott other than their domestic political compulsions. This type of politics is common in any democratic country.

This is true in Canada, Britain and other places. But I think the British PM has given a clear statement as to why he is attending the CHOGM.

Britain has its own responsibility towards the Commonwealth of Nations and its well-being.

Their PM said he wishes to visit the North during his visit to Sri Lanka. We are ready to accommodate his wishes. He would be able to meet State officials, Ministers as well as Provincial Council members and members of the Opposition. This country has a functional democracy. We are confident that a majority of visitors to CHOGM would acknowledge the achievements Sri Lanka has made during the past four years. There will be some negative comments and that is inevitable.

Q: Another documentary which talks about ‘white van’ abductions in Sri Lanka has surfaced in Tamil Nadu. How will it affect the forthcoming Commonwealth summit?

A: I don't think this will have a major impact on the upcoming Commonwealth summit. It is a multilateral event. A large number of Heads of Government, Foreign Ministers and senior officials attending the CHOGM have already confirmed their participation. Some media personalities and production houses make use of situations like those in Sri Lanka to cook up stories based on unfounded allegations.

Their intentions are not as wholesome as one would think. Foreign envoys, policy makers and representatives of media have visited Sri Lanka since the end of terrorism. In today's media, nothing goes undisclosed. If something of that nature had happened, it will first be broken by the local media.

The tabloid type Sri Lankan news websites today report everything and anything, even speculation and hearsay.

Q: There is speculation that Sri Lanka may face a tough time at the main leaders' meeting. Some countries are reportedly bracing to grill Sri Lanka on its alleged Human Rights record and outstanding reconciliation issues, with Britain already making statements to this effect. Your comments?

A: The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is a multilateral event. Although leaders have some opportunities to interact with each other, they don't have time to discuss bilateral issues in detail. This multilateral event is designed and organised to achieve certain common objectives. The organisers, the Sri Lanka Government and the Commonwealth Secretariat are working tirelessly on a common agenda that concerns its membership and the world.

Each of the three fora - the Business Forum, People's Forum and the Youth Forum - has themes which are interconnected to reflect the main theme of the Commonwealth. However, the leaders can interact closely and raise issues that concern them at the Retreat.

Q: You said a lot of countries have confirmed participation at the Commonwealth meeting at the top most level. How many leaders have confirmed participation so far?

A: By Tuesday, 36 countries had confirmed that their Heads of Government will lead the delegations. (With Sri Lanka this will be 37.) Almost all the countries are participating in the Meeting, but not all Heads of State will be here. We are optimistic of maximum participation at Heads of Government level.

Q: India is yet to confirm, isn’t it?

A: India is yet to confirm. We are awaiting the arrival of the Indian Prime Minister to the Commonwealth Heads Meeting.

Q: There are allegations that the costs involving the preparations for CHOGM is outrageously high and hence it has been kept a secret. Your comments?

A: I don't think we can keep anything secret in Sri Lanka. Our media is so vibrant and energetic, that nothing stays hidden for long. Moreover, the External Affairs Ministry works in a transparent manner. When we take decisions, we always go to the Cabinet of Ministers.

The same practice is being followed in the CHOGM preparations. The planning for CHOGM began about an year ago.

We have consulted President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Secretary to the President every step of the way.

President Rajapaksa has insisted that we keep expenditure to a minimum. For many events, we will be leasing equipment and material rather than purchasing them outright.

The Ministries and Departments involved have been asked to manage their expenditure within the existing budgetary allocations. We are trying to host this event at minimum cost.

In addition to the image building that is impossible to quantify, the benefits in terms of hotel reservations, transport, investment, business opportunities and tourism will be enormous and outweigh the costs.

Q: There is a race against time to dress up Colombo and other cities that host the CHOGM and its side events. Did the uncertainty of hosting the event spurred by negative propaganda delay the preparations?

A: This was discussed even at a meeting with the President recently. It is not a question of delay, actually we have expedited some of the city development and beautification activities that were earmarked for next year. CHOGM is a blessing in disguise for Sri Lanka. Everyone has been energised to complete their tasks ahead of CHOGM. It is not about delaying, it is about advancing some of the projects that were planned for the future.

The benefits would go directly to the people of this country.

All the beautification work will be completed during the first week of November, well ahead of the Commonwealth officials meeting.