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Wednesday, 30 November 2011

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Opposition Leader’s position pathetic - Prof G L

External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris yesterday stated in Parliament that it was pathetic to see Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe opposing the Commonwealth Summit being held in Sri Lanka in 2013, while 54 countries have unanimously decided to hold it in Sri Lanka.

Minister G L Peiris made this observation in Parliament in response to a statement made by Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe while speaking on the debate in support of the 2012 budget.


Prof G L Peiris

The minister further stated that representatives of 54 Commonwealth countries gathered in Perth, Western Australia three weeks before and unanimously decided to hold the Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka in 2013.

The minister stated that one country attempted to move a resolution against holding the Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lnaka.

The minister added it was a matter to be proud that 15 countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America stood against that resolution and the particular country had to withdraw it.

He added that they emphatically stated that they extend their unreserved support and cooperation to hold the Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka in 2013. Minister G L Peiris stated that the representative of the country who tried to move the resolution against Sri Lanka later on met the minister and said to him that they were not strong enough to move it. So they decided to withdraw it.

The minister further stated that the saddest fact is that it was only Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who was opposing the Commonwealth Meeting being held in Sri Lanka.

Minister Peiris stated that Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe taking off a tie, a Commonwealth tie in Parliament and quarried what did it mean. “Does it mean that the decision of 54 Heads of States can be reversed by such an empty gesture,” the minister asked.

“It is an empty and meaningless gesture and it is a sign of disrespect, not to the President and government but to the people of Sri Lanka.

Minister G L Peiris further stated that President Mahinda Rajapaksa and himself met Indian Opposition and B J P Leader Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi four months ago.

Swaraj told Prof Peiris that whatever criticism they levelled against the Indian government in India they speak as one on India’s behalf and take a united stand in relation with international matters concerning India’s wellbeing.

The minister further stated that they met Sonia Gandhi the same night and told her about the Opposition Leader’s views.

Sonia Gandhi said that it was a deep-rooted political concept and policy of all the political parties in India.

He added that this stance was a good lesson for our Opposition Leader.

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