Sandasen Marasinghe
The Sri Lankan Government is fully satisfied with the number of the participants at the parallel events of the CHOGM held so far and the participants have expressed great satisfaction with the outcome of the deliberations, External Affairs Minister Prof: G L Peiris said.
He made these observations yesterday responding to a question raised by the media at a press conference held at the CHOGM Media Centre briefing room at the BMICH premises.
Minister Prof. Peiris said three forums have already commenced and the highest number of participants has been recorded at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Colombo. He said the Indian Prime Minister has expressed his inability to participate in CHOGM.
“The Indian Premier does not need to give reasons for not participating at CHOGM,” the Minister said.
He added that we are very happy with the outcome of the CHOGM forums. Minister Peiris added that at previous CHOGMs too, all those expected to participate did not do so. “There will no impact whatsoever on the outcome of the CHOGM by the absence of a few participants,” he said.
When a scribe questioned about the absence of the Prime Minister of Mauritius at the CHOGM, Minister of Foreign Affairs Regional Integration and Internal Trade of Mauritius Dr. Arvin Boolell said that “he has come to represent his Prime Minister at the CHOGM.” He added that Mauritius has close ties with Sri Lanka.
Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States was held at the Hilton Hotel yesterday to discuss the issues faced by small states which comprise 32 out of the 53 Commonwealth countries. They discussed finding a practical solution for growth of equity in a spirit of inclusiveness guaranteeing that no state is being left behind. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados Ms. Maxine Pamela Ometa Maclean also spoke at the press conference.
Source- Daily News 13-11-2013
