Common poverty should be addressed before common wealth – President [November 15 2013]

Addressing the CHOGM 2013 inauguration session President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the Commonwealth should be addressing issues of common poverty before issues of common wealth. He questioned whether we could realistically say that the need for basic facilities such as food, water and healthcare are of lesser importance than political concerns. Speaking further he said that the Commonwealth should respond sensitively to the needs of the people. “We must not let it turn into a punitive or judgemental body” the President said.