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CHOGM 2013 website’s statistical discrepancy rectified
Officials have responded to a statistical discrepancy in Sri Lanka’s ethnic groups on the recently launched Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 website after it was pointed out by the Sunday Times. While the 2012 data from the Department of Census and Statistics show the population of Sri Lanka’s Tamils to be 11.2%, the CHOGM website’s Sri Lanka fact-sheet showed 3.9%.
The change to the website’s fact-sheet was made on Friday morning, four days after the launch.
Three days after its launch, the website had recorded 10,000 views. Following months of planning, the Sri Lanka Government on Monday launched the official website of the meeting which Colombo will host in November. This launch coincided with the launch of CHOGM 2013 social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Delegates from all 54 Commonwealth nations are expected to attend the meeting, with over 700 media personnel also expected in attendance, according to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information. CHOGM2013.lk was built under the instruction of the Government-appointed Media and Publicity sub-committee for CHOGM 2013. It was headed by Media Ministry Secretary Charitha Herath.
The sub-committee maintains authority over the website’s content, which is cross-checked with the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. The website is divided into five sections, and features a fact-sheet of Sri Lanka and a platform for delegate registration. The fact-sheet about the country details the geography of Sri Lanka, population demographics and the country’s economy and industries.
Secretary Herath said that while the website would be used principally for registration, accommodation arrangements and media communiqués, the website also focuses on marketing Sri Lanka.
“After defeating brutal terrorism, the country is in the process of developing its infrastructure and human resources. We are welcoming people to come and see the real development in the country,” Mr Herath said. In his message on the website, President Mahinda Rajapaksa encouraged visitors to learn about Sri Lanka.
“In preparing for CHOGM 2013, organisers have planned events, not only in Colombo, but also in other parts of the country, that will hopefully give delegates and participants an opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage and varied scenic beauty,” the President’s message said.
Other features of the website include a photo gallery, an events calendar and a live chat option in the weeks leading up to the meeting. International media will also register for coverage of the meeting through the website. “Commonwealth officials have expressed great satisfaction with our work on the website,” Mr. Herath said.
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