Role of academics vital in achieving CHOGM objectives - GL

Sri Lanka has achieved significant international stature due to its success in hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The challenge now is to follow through and enable the Commonwealth to be seen as an instrument of practical service to the people under the leadership of President Mahainda Rajapaksa as the Chair-in-Office, Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, said on Tuesday at the seminar on 'The Commonwealth of the Future: A Visionary and Bold Leadership from Sri Lanka', organised by the University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Higher Education at Hotel Taj Samudra.

A high impact agenda for the Commonwealth and a series of interim recommendations were presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the conclusion of the discussions by Minister of High Education, S.B. Dissnayake.

More than 450 university academics were present.

Prof. Peiris said immense advantages had accrued to the country in consequence of the opportunity that visiting Heads of Government and other dignitaries observing first hand, the development taking place in Sri Lanka and the resilience and confidence of our people.

He referred to comments by visiting leaders emphasising the contrast between the propaganda to which they had been exposed prior to their arrival, and the reality which they saw on the ground.

The Minister commended the government's decision not to confine the events connected with the conference to Colombo, but to take them to other parts of the Island, including Hambantota and Galle.

He also commented on the inclusivity which had been a prominent feature of the preparations, in particular the prominent role played by the schools where activities such as essay, oratorical and quiz competitions were held on Commonwealth themes.

The Minister made reference to the singular success of the Business Forum where the attendance at the level of 1,400 was the highest on record at any Commonwealth event. More than 4,500 visitors arriving for the Commonwealth events also provided an immense impetus to tourism, he observed.

Prof. Peiris said that the central themes pervading the discussions were equity accompanying economic development, access to opportunity for youth, remedial measures addressing the special vulnerability of small states, innovative approaches to training and human resource development, and the importance of a level playing field in international trade.

He stressed the crucial role of the academic community in disseminating information with regard to these matters and creating public opinion conducive to implementation of these objectives.

Prof. Peiris and Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, were among the speakers in the morning session.