A shot in the arm for the economy:

Indirect and direct revenue by CHOGM to top Rs.10 billion - External Affairs Monitoring MP

By Manjula Fernando

With a little more than three months to go for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013, the largest gathering of state leaders in Sri Lanka after the Non Aligned summit in 1976, the Task Force set up at the BMICH to coordinate between state agencies and their overseas counterparts is turning into a beehive of activity.

The Sunday Observer met Monitoring MP for the External Affairs Ministry, Sajin de Vass Gunawardena who is overseeing the CHOGM preparations by the Task Force at the BMICH last week. We met him in between a series of meetings.

Q: Can you sum up the importance of holding the CHOGM in Sri Lanka?

A: The importance of the CHOGM can be viewed from many angles. Number one; the Commonwealth comprises a huge entity of countries. It has a long history and the CHOGM is being held in the Asian region after 24 years.

Sri Lanka has been through a turbulent past and under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, we have brought calm and serenity to the country in the form of economic development, reconciliation, political stability and social development. Amidst all this there is a lot of negative activity that is taking place, to deface the image of the country.

The negative publicity is stirred up by the LTTE diaspora and LTTE operatives . Some of the western countries are distant from the happenings in Sri Lanka and are easily misled. This is a good opportunity for Sri Lanka to showcase herself, to 54 important countries in the world who will attend CHOGM in Sri Lanka.

Foreign Heads of State, Ministers and officials could see for themselves what Sri Lanka is all about. They will see at firsthand, the freedom the people enjoy while having the opportunity to visit wherever they want and make their own assessments as to what is taking place in the country.

This becomes all the more important vis a vis, the development taking place after the reintegration of affected people into mainstream society. This is one area which needs specific exposure.

Q: Has there been diplomatic exchange between Sri Lanka and Canada on their participation at the CHOGM ?

A: At the recent Editors' meeting with the President (Tuesday), when a question was raised I responded that we are continuing relations with Canada. We have not severed diplomatic relations with them, neither have they. There has been communication between us, so in that sense, even the Canadian Prime Minister might attend the meeting. I say this because they have to come and see.

For example, I saw in the newspapers that the TGTE (Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam) had written to British Prime Minister, David Cameron asking him not to come to Sri Lanka for the CHOGM. But the state minister for Foreign Affairs, Alistair Burt made a categorical statement that the decision has been made to go to Sri Lanka. We want to see for ourselves, what Sri Lanka has achieved, it is only then that we can see whether they have under achieved or not', he had said.

That is the importance of CHOGM for Sri Lanka in the present context, that is on one side in terms of the allegations that have been levelled against the country and the negative publicity that has emanated from some of the western countries in terms of reconciliation and returning to normalcy.

Q: There are allegations that the CHOGM costs will drag the country's economy down?

A: On the contrary, it will have many positive gains from an economic and investment perspective. CHOGM will have a people's forum, business council and a youth forum in addition to the main Heads of State Meeting. There are integrated sectors of activity in different spheres.

The Business Council is targeting 600-700 participants from abroad, and 500 local participants and as such this is going to be a huge forum. The Ministry of Finance, has identified certain large scale projects for investment. According to the Business Council Chairman, Dr. Mohan Kamal- his target of investment is $ 2 billion.

From the social aspect, there is a huge people-to-people contact, we have nearly 1,000 delegates coming for the civil society forum, then an equal number for the youth forum. We have a sports festival and a cultural festival. This means development of interaction on the political aspect, reconciliation and the economy.

Q: But there are rumours that some foreign media may not be allowed to cover the CHOGM ?

A: Minister of Mass Media, Keheliya Rambukwella clearly made a statement about this. The Accreditation of the media is simple. For the CHOGM, what Sri Lanka does is basically offer our country as a venue and assist in related ancillary services that are required to make the CHOGM a success.

Rules and regulations for media accreditation are universal and common to every CHOGM. Therefore, we are bound to adhere to this procedure. Whoever is authorised through that process is welcome. We are not denying access to any person, because the whole objective is for everyone to participate.

But there are certain people who have launched a campaign to spread rumours that we are denying them access to Sri Lanka. The reason behind is that they don't want to come and see the progress here.

We will not get caught to these tactics. We will allow anyone as long as they have got proper accreditation from the Commonwealth Secretariat to come over and make their own opinions as to the situation here.

I am reiterating that, if anyone is going to use this as a campaign forum, even before the CHOGM, we will not permit any person to come that is totally incorrect.

Q: How can you justify the massive amount of funds the CHOGM preparations will involve?

A: I don't think there are massive funds involved as you say. At the beginning I specifically said about the benefits to the country, one aspect of it is the economic benefits. For the duration of the CHOGM - about 10 days the total occupancy of hotel rooms will be 6500 - 7000. For all that, the delegations will pay.

As far as the hosting is concerned, only the Heads of State, Foreign Minister and the Foreign Secretary will be sponsored by the Sri Lankan Government. If you are showcasing the country, a certain amount of expense will have to be incurred. But if you quantify the benefits that we get, indirectly and directly, we stand to gain during those ten days, it is close upon Rs.10 billion in terms of revenue to the country.

This is direct revenue to be earned from transport, accommodation, food and air travel. There will be 6000 - 7000 people coming over to the country. SriLankan Airlines is the only official airline partner for this event. So they stand to benefit.

Also there are certain specifics that are needed to be adhered to, when the CHOGM is hosted. Expenses concerning accreditation, security, event management which is guided by the Commonwealth Secretariat stipulations, yes, we have to bear but when you look at the overall picture, the benefits that we derive in tangible terms, and monetory terms far outweigh the costs that we have to incur.

Q: How will CHOGM 2013 be different from the past CHOGMs?

A: In the context of content, the program structure and the procedure to be followed, there is uniformity at every CHOGM. But I think it becomes important by the fact that it is being held in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has achieved a huge difference in the environment, attitudes and the progress that we have shown. As I said earlier that is where the difference is, we want to show people what we are from within. We want them to walk around Sri Lanka and feel the difference, after 30 years of terrorism and what we have achieved. That is the importance and that is the difference of the CHOGM being held in Sri Lanka.

Q: Don't you think the Opposition's agitation over the fleet of vehicles to be imported for the event is not without reason?

Does the Opposition expect a head of state to go in a bullock cart? We have to conform to Commonwealth standards. We have also to recognise how a head of state of any country should be treated. Then why have we given a Mercedes Benz bullet proof armoured car to Ranil Wickremasinghe? because he is the Leader of the Opposition! The Leader of the Opposition is a personality who has to be recognised in this country. If it is not so, he can return the car and go in a Toyota Corolla.

We are importing I think about 60 cars. There must be uniformity in the fleet of vehicles to be used for the heads of state at the CHOGM. That is a mandatory requirement. And after we use them, I think we could sell them - may be in a bidding process.

Q: The international clamour which called for a CHOGM venue change, citing human rights violations seems to have died down. Any particular reason for this?

A: I don't think it has died down. It is very much alive. The best example I can give you is that the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE was set up after the defeat of the LTTE in Sri Lanka) becoming more active in terms of preventing as many people as possible from participating in the CHOGM. Their publicity stunts and campaigns have doubled. Amidst the negative atmosphere that existed and the perception that the CHOGM will not be held in Sri Lanka due to lack of support, the fact it is being held here is a huge victory for the country. This only signifies one thing - of the 54 countries of the Commonwealth, 99% have endorsed their view, that Sri Lanka should host this big event.

That itself is a defeat for the LTTE and the LTTE diaspora. I wouldn't agree with you when you say that the negative exposure has died down, it has got stronger. The perfect example is when recently the TGTE gave an explanation as to why Mr. Vignesvaran was chosen as their Chief Ministerial candidate. The letter states'they' have chosen him, which means that they are still calling the shots.

The reason for his candidature is that they want to market the 13th Amendment. They want to market the powers that they want to get.

But amidst all this under the President's leadership we have convinced 53 countries in the Commonwealth to hold the CHOGM in Sri Lanka. And now let us go to the second stage of showcasing Sri Lanka. The truth is now right in front of their eyes.

We must thank the Australian Government for sending an advanced team to share their experiences as the CHOGM 2011 host. From time to time we will be communicating with them, to make CHOGM 2013 a success.