Hosting CHOGM:

'Sri Lankan unity will dispel misconceptions'

by Ananda Agalakada

A show of unity by all Sri Lankans during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will help further build the country's image globally and dispel any misconceptions, Deputy Minister for Environment and Renewable Energy Abdul Cader said.

The Deputy Minister called upon people of all religious faiths,

especially Muslims to conduct religious services to invoke blessings to make the meeting a success.

Sri Lanka hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was a great victory for the country and it shows the high esteem President Mahinda Rajapaksa holds in the international community.

The Minister said as the world's focus would be on Sri Lanka, people should sink petty differences and stand united to gain the maximum benefits from CHOGM.

"CHOGM provides a golden opportunity for the country to showcase its reconciliation and post development programs to the world. At a time when various inimical forces are trying to tarnish Sri Lanka's image, hosting such a massive meeting itself was a major achievement" the Minister said.

He said Sri Lanka will vindicate its position of political stability and tranquility to counter the misinformation campaign disseminated by some disgruntled elements to achieve their narrow objectives and aims by discrediting the country with false propaganda.

World leaders and other delegates who visit Sri Lanka for CHOGM could see for themselves the prevailing peaceful environment in Sri Lanka, he said.