Benefits of CHOGM in Sri Lanka enormous
by Manjula Fernando

Foreign Secretary Karunatilaka Amunugama Pic: Thilak Perera
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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. |