[CHOGM 2013]
A huge boost for Sri Lanka
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting(CHOGM) will be a huge
boost to the tourism industry as Sri Lanka will gain more exposure as a
destination for tourism, said an Accommodation Committee member Vipula
Vanegasekera.
He
said the CHOGM will be a fillip for the MICE tourism industry which is a
vital contributor to the economy of the country. MICE tourism has grown
exponentially over the years with the influx of visitors from the
region.
India is a major market for MICE tourism in Sri Lanka.
Water's Edge Hotel General Manager Rohan Fernandopulle said that
preparations to host heads of states for the retreat sessions has been
completed and the property has been given a complete facelift through
the beautification program launched few months ago.
“We are ready to host the delegates proving them a memorable stay in
our property which known for conferences”, he said.
Commonwealth Business Council Chairman Dr. Mohan Kaul at a recent
media briefing on the preparations for the CHOGM said that the council
was pleased with the preparations in Sri Lanka for the high level
meeting and added that there had been a tremendous response from abroad
across the Commonwealth and outside Commonwealth for business
partnership with Sri Lanka.
Addressing media together with the Minister of external Affairs,
Prof. G. L. Peiris at the Ministry of External Affairs in Colombo
Wednesday morning, Dr. Kaul said delegates from 65 countries have
already confirmed their participation in the Business Forum and the
largest delegation is from the United Kingdom.
“We have delegates from Commonwealth as well as non-Commonwealth
countries,” he said.
“We expect a successful event where we hope a very good participation
from some of the top business leaders”.
Each of the Presidents and Heads of States who are coming here are
bringing a business delegation. So there is lot of expectations from us
and hope that the CHOGM would not only be a good political gathering but
also an event that would bring economic benefits to Sri Lanka.
We already have expressions of interest for businesses amounting to
US$ 2 billion including investments airport, energy and tourism sectors,
he said.
Despite Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s announcement of his
non attendance in the Commonwealth Heads of States Summit many Canadian
businessmen has expressed their participation in the Commonwealth
Business Forum.
The Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Business Council, Dr.
Mohan Kaul has said that Canadian businessmen have confirmed
participation in the Commonwealth Business Forum, which is to be held on
the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of State Summit.
He said that the decision of the Canadian government to boycott CHOGM
would not deter Canadian business leaders’ participation in the business
forum.
Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen extended an
invitation to Austrian officials and business persons to attend the
Commonwealth Business Forum and “Reflection of Sri Lanka” exhibition
that would take place in Colombo next month.
During his meeting with Franz Wessig, Deputy Vice Minister for
Economy, Family and Youth of Austria, the Minister apprised Wessig of
the economic developments in Sri Lanka, including the significant growth
in GDP and infrastructure development projects, among others.
Addressing the trade relations between the two countries, both
Ministers agreed to further exploit the great potential for trade
between Sri Lanka and Austria by diversifying and expanding trade
relations.
The Indian daily Indian Express said that China is planning to woo
Sri Lankans by sending a 120-member business delegation to the
Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) to be held on the sidelines of the
Commonwealth Heads of States Summit. The CBF is open to non-commonwealth
countries as well.
It said that the Chinese delegation would be the harbinger of a
Sino-Lankan Strategic Cooperation Partnership, which would be based on
the findings of field studies already conducted by Chinese business and
economic fact-finding missions.
The paper said that there will be Chinese investments in Jaffna in
the very near future, and enhancement of Sri Lankan exports of garments,
tea, rubber, gems and jewellery and light engineering goods to China
under a Free Trade Agreement being negotiated.
China is already Lanka’s biggest creditor, having pledged over a
billion US dollars in 2012. Over 1,000 top foreign and local investors
and business personnel from Commonwealth and Non-Commonwealth countries
will participate in the Commonwealth Business Forum to be held in
November, which will be the biggest ever business forum to be held in
Sri Lanka.
Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera said that Sri Lanka
has already forwarded 80 business proposals to the Commonwealth Business
Forum.The Forum will take place in Colombo during November 12-14, 2013
in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The
business forum would highlight opportunities for trade, investment and
tourism in Sri Lanka focusing on areas, such as ports and shipping,
agriculture, housing, tourism, education, IT and development.
Sri Lanka is expecting more than US$ 2 billion investment with the
hosting of the event and it would provide Sri Lanka an opportunity to
invest in other Commonwealth countries as well. The theme of the Forum
will be “Partnership for Wealth Creation and Social Development: The
Commonwealth, Indian Ocean and SAARC’.
Government aware of voices of opposition on CHOGM: Chidambaram

Indian Finance Minister P . Chidambaram |
If Wigneswaran can attend the meet, what is there for India to
protest, ask Indian government sources
Union Ministers from Tamil Nadu have highlighted the plight of Sri
Lankan Tamils while indicating their opposition to Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh travelling to Colombo for the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram confirmed that the government
was “aware” of voices of opposition from Ministers from Tamil Nadu, but
declined to identify them. At the same time, he drew attention to
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin’s
statement that all aspects of the country’s national interest, foreign
policy priorities and international obligations are being considered
while the government consults all stakeholders before deciding on the
level of participation.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s Northern Province Chief Minister C.V.
Wigneswaran is near certain to attend the CHOGM opening ceremony on
November 15, said senior sources in the government. As most allegations
of human rights abuses were from the Tamil majority Northern Province,
where an election gave an overwhelming mandate to the Wigneswaran-led
Tamil
National Alliance, the official said: “If he attends, what is now
left for us to protest?” Foreign Ministers of Australia and South
Africa, during meetings with External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid
in Perth, felt the summit was bigger than the human rights record of the
host country.
-The Hindu
CHOGMs every two years
Every
two years, Commonwealth leaders meet at CHOGM to discuss global and
Commonwealth issues, and to agree on collective policies and
initiatives. CHOGMs are organised by the host nation in collaboration
with the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Issues discussed include international peace and security, democracy,
good governance, sustainable development, debt management, education,
environment, gender equality, health, human rights, information and
communication technology, law, multilateral trade issues, small states
and youth affairs.
[CHOGM venues]
Nelum
Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
Event: Opening Ceremony :
The Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre will be the
site of the opening ceremony of CHOGM 2013. The facility is a fully
equipped, sate-of-the-art performance centre, meant for large-scale
theatrical productions. Situated in the heart of Colombo city, this
modern architectural masterpiece facilitates easy access for both local
and foreign events. The theatre is also surrounded by several five star
hotels and other commercial establishments, making the venue an ideal
location for international gatherings.
********
Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH)
Event:
Main Conference Venue :
Most of the main conference activities and meetings will take place
at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH),
which has, for a very long time, been Sri Lanka’s premier location for
international meetings, plenary sessions, trade and academic shows, and
other large-scale events.
As its name implies, BMICH was built to honour the memory of the
prime minister of Sri Lanka from 1956 to 1959 S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. The
Hall is an outright gift from the government and people of the People's
Republic of China.
(PIC)
********
Waters Edge
Event:
Heads of Government Retreat :
The award-winning conference and recreational facility, Waters Edge,
is where the Heads of Government retreat will take place. The facility
located in the suburb of Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, near Sri Lanka’s
Parliament is surrounded by the tributaries of the Diyawanna Lake. The
venue offers a serene environment where world leaders will gather to
discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the Commonwealth.
********
Cinnamon Grand Colombo
Event:
Business Forum :
The Cinnamon Grand Colombo a popular five-star hotel serves as an
ideal location to bring together business leaders for the Commonwealth
Business Forum.
International Convention Centre, Hambantota
Event: Youth Forum
(PIC)
********
International Convention Centre, Hambantota

[Youth Forum in Hambantota]
The Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) will be held for five days from
Nov. 10-14, 2013, in the southern port city of Hambantota. The CYF is
organised with several objectives: To allow youth leaders to exchange
ideas and cultures, for youth participants to build skills and network,
and to work toward identifying the most vital challenges and
opportunities facing young people today.
A Youth-Led Task Force (YLTF) will be responsible for the planning
and the organising of the CYF. The Task Force will consist of five youth
leaders from Commonwealth member countries and five youth leaders from
Sri Lanka, with co-chairs from each group. The YLTF is responsible for
the entire program, including the daily agenda, themes for plenary
sessions and the identification of resource persons, among others.
*******
Proposed Activities and Events
Four days will be allocated for the main forum of the Commonwealth
Youth. Forum while one day will be set aside for sightseeing.
Participants of the CYF will have the opportunity to take part in
professional skills development programs, capacity building activities
and cross-cultural programmes. The following are among some of the
events and activities being planned for this year’s CYF:
*******
General Assembly of the Commonwealth Youth Council
The Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) will be the new official and
independent platform representing the voice of young people in the
Commonwealth. The General Assembly of the CYC will meet every two years
and will be the highest decision-making gathering of the CYF.
*******
Youth Dialogue
Newly-elected youth leaders of the CYC and co-chairs of the CYF
Youth-Led Task Force will interface with the Heads of Government to
share the outcomes of the CYF, share the collective youth vision for the
Commonwealth and agree on how the youth group can work together with
governments to achieve Commonwealth goals and objectives during the
upcoming two years.
*******
Commonwealth Youth Awards Ceremony
The awards ceremony is held to recognise and celebrate the
accomplishments of award-winners from across the Commonwealth.
Volunteering: The volunteering program will be a local legacy
project. The delegates will have the opportunity to volunteer in
community projects in Sri Lanka that in turn contribute to major
national development initiatives.
Cultural Visit: Participants of the Youth Forum will be taken on a
visit to a place of historical or cultural significance.
Night Fair: The night fair will be one more opportunity for youth
leaders from around the world to mingle, network and build
relationships. |