News
State-of-the-art CHOGM Media Centre at BMICH opens this week
View(s):A state-of-the-art Media Centre set up at the BMICH, to accommodate up to 800 local and foreign media personnel accredited to cover the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), will open this week. The Media Centre will be fully-equipped with live satellite and communication facilities, briefing rooms, work stations, among other services, Media and Information Ministry Secretary Charitha Herath said.
Ministry Secretary Charitha Herath addressing a news conference. Pic by Ranjith Perera
Around 2,000 foreign delegates are expected to attend the CHOGM which will he be held between November 10 and 17, with the main events being held in Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. “Live feeds of events including the airport coverage, as well as the opening ceremony at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre on November 15, and the Business Forum, will be relayed to the Media Centre and can be accessed by all journalists accredited to cover the event,” he said.
The side events to the main conference will include the Youth Forum to be held in Hambantota, the People’s Forum to be held in Galle, and the Business Forum to be held in Colombo. “Six hotels have been earmarked to accommodate the foreign journalists. Shuttle bus services will operate to transport media personnel between their hotels and the Media Centre,” Mr Herath said.
Every two years, Commonwealth leaders meet at the CHOGM to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, and to agree on collective policies and initiatives. The issues to be discussed will 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.CHOGMs are organised by the host nation in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat.
Our photographers Indika Handuwala, Mangala Weerasekera, Nilan Maligaspe and Hasitha Kulasekera captured these scenes of CMC workers trying to finish the beautification of the city in the run-up to CHOGM
