All we can do is invite countries for CHOGM – GL

23 March 2013 04:21 am

The level of representation of countries at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is beyond Sri Lanka’s control, and all the government can do is invite member states to participate, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L Peiris yesterday said.

Making closing remarks at a guest-lecture by visiting Canadian Senator Hugh Segal at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, the Minister said Sri Lanka is a “hospitable country” and would continue in this tradition.

“All we can do is invite and make all preparations on our part. There is no more we can do. The rest is up to those who are invited. We are however, determined to have a positive and fruitful outcome,” he said, responding to a reporter who asked him if the government was concerned at the expected non-participation of certain world leaders at the CHOGM.

Speaking on the topic ‘The Commonwealth as a force for good’, Senator Segal said he would report back to Canada on the situation in Sri Lanka to enable his country to decide on its level of participation at the CHOGM.

“I came to learn, observe and report back to my government, to decide on the level of participation at the summit,” he said. (Hafeel Farisz and Lahiru Pothmulla)