CHOGM not just expensive risk, but rare opportunity – former Foreign Secretary
The upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), to be held in Sri Lanka for the first time in November 2013, is not just an expensive risk but also a rare opportunity for the host country to showcase its diplomatic capabilities, according to former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador H.M.G.S. Palihakkara.
Speakers – Eran Wickramaratne, H.M.G.S.Palihakkara and Tissa Jayaweera share a joke with STBC President Chaturanga Perera. Pic by Ranjith Perera
However, he cautioned that it was “important to rein in the comments of freelancing politicos whose misinformed statements could be mistaken for [government] policy”.
Speaking at this week’s Sunday Times Business Club (STBC) discussion on “CHOGM 2013: Its Impact on Sri Lanka’s Political, Social and Economic Landscape” in Colombo, Mr. Palihakkara also opined that, since each of the delegations attending would have its own agenda, in terms of brokering deals and gaining other concessions from other member states, there would be little motivation to criticise Sri Lanka on its human rights record and other issues, except by a few countries where lobbying was in full force.
Further, he also commented that, with the Colombo Declaration resulting from CHHOGM 2013, this was an opportunity to long display the host country’s previous diplomatic acumen which brought about the Non-Aligned Summit held locally in 1976, if the 2013 meeting is handled correctly. Additionally, with Sri Lanka chairing the Commonwealth for two years following the CHOGM, there will be even more opportunities like CHOGM.
Also speaking at the event, CHOGM 2013 organising committee member Tissa Jayaweera revealed that there have been 3,000 applications received to date for media accreditations. As such, the CHOGM 2013 will not be about return on investment (ROI) for Sri Lanka, but about a level of global exposure that cannot be paid for. He also indicated that there were 6,000 rooms booked and another 2,000 rooms kept on standby for delegates, etc. for the event.
He also noted that 800,000 families were being relocated out of Colombo’s shanties, moved to newly built homes.
Further, Mr. Jayaweera also commented that, following this meeting, Sri Lanka was “trying again” for the Commonwealth Games.
Meanwhile, also addressing the audience, economist, former banker and UNP parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne noted there was a credibility gap experienced by the government due to the difference in what was said abroad and what was said locally. He also added that while reports indicated that many millions of rupees were being spent for the CHOGM 2013, it was understood that these numbers were understated. He cited the example of China, where a similar heads of government meeting had an official cost of US$4 billion, with its real cost, in terms of road building, etc, coming closer to $50 billion.
He noted however that opposition parties were supportive of the Summit being in Sri Lanka.
Etisalat is the chief sponsor of the club with Hameedia as the co-sponsor. Cinnamon Lakeside is the host hotel.