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.
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