Stiff opposition negated due to President’s dynamic leadership:

‘SL’s C’wealth success - an eye-opener’

Many countries stood by Sri Lanka:

Chaminda PERERA

The government yesterday stressed that Sri Lanka was not isolated in the international sphere and the next Commonwealth Heads of State meeting will make the critics see for themselves what is happening in Sri Lanka.

Senior government ministers said that the decision to hold the next CHOGM in Colombo will be an eye-opener to many a critic who would be able to see for themselves the tremendous progress achieved by the country in almost all fields in the aftermath of the protracted war that plagued the nation for over three decades.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva

Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe

They said that Sri Lanka secured an opportunity to host the next Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting in Colombo amid stiff opposition from several countries, due to the able and dynamic leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

These senior ministers were of the view that Sri Lanka’s victory at the CHOGM summit in Perth, in the backdrop of heavy opposition by pro-LTTE lobbies, shows that the country is no longer isolated in the international arena.

According to Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, the Sri Lankan delegation headed by President Rajapaksa succeeded in securing the opportunity to hold the next CHOGM summit in Sri Lanka despite opposition by several countries where pro- LTTE organizations are operating. The minister said that many countries, particularly India, have stood by Sri Lanka in securing the opportunity to hold the next Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting in Sri Lanka.

Minister Silva said that this decision at the CHOGM meeting in Perth underscores that Sri Lanka is a safe place to hold any type of international summit. Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that Sri Lanka had vast experience in holding a number of international forums and conferences such as Non -Alignment Summits.

He said that Sri Lanka would win world attention by holding this summit for the first time in Sri Lanka.

Minister Nanayakkara added that the majority of Commonwealth countries have opposed the appointment of a special commissioner to monitor the human rights situation of member countries. He said the majority of leaders have admitted that the appointment of a Commonwealth Human Rights Commissioner will duplicate the process being carried out by the United Nations.

Plantation Industries Minister and Sri Lanka’s Special Envoy on Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe told the Daily News that President Mahinda Rajapaksa needs to be commended for bringing the CHOGM summit to Sri Lanka.

He said that President Rajapaksa succeeded in securing the opportunity to hold this prestigious summit in Sri Lanka in the face of stiff opposition from several countries.

“This is an opportunity for Commonwealth countries to witness the achievements made by a country which effectively faced one of the worst terrorist outfits in the world,” he added.