Abbott to attend CHOGM

11 September 2013 08:16 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

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Australian Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka.

Mr Abbott confirmed his attendance at the November summit in a telephone call with Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday.

The Colombo event will be the first CHOGM not attended by Queen Elizabeth II in 40 years.

Prince Charles will be attending in her absence.

It will also be a politically controversial event.

Canada has threatened to boycott it to protest Sri Lanka's human rights record.

The British House of Commons foreign affairs committee called on British PM David Cameron not to go, on similar grounds, but he has confirmed his attendance.

Perth hosted the most recent CHOGM in 2011.

A delegation of Australian officials who were involved in the 2011 summit visited Sri Lanka in June to help with planning the 2013 event. (AAP)

Comments - 8

Achchcaru Wednesday, 11 September 2013 09:35 AM

Aiyo Pillay...aiyo Lalitha

7 3

LonwaboTsotsobe Wednesday, 11 September 2013 10:09 AM

Aussies will definitely attend. Esp with the refugee crisis.

0 8

Sonali de Silva Wednesday, 11 September 2013 10:57 AM

Thank god there is no diaspora to blackmail him. Well done Mr Abbott. You are going in the right direction. Good luck to you as the new PM of Australia.

6 8

Anton Wednesday, 11 September 2013 11:20 AM

Abbot has no option..as he has pledged to stop boat arrivals. That is why he was elected.

0 8

clueless Wednesday, 11 September 2013 11:44 AM

Tony Abbott looks a sensible leader, before the elections he stated that he will visit all important Asian neighbors before visiting Europe and US.

1 5

sanaboys Wednesday, 11 September 2013 01:03 PM

Huraaaaaaaaaah

2 1

Andrew Pitugala Thursday, 12 September 2013 02:23 AM

Lucky guy. He got elected just in time.
Boat loads of Srilankans are migrating to Aussie land.
He may get in to one of those to get back!!!!

1 0

jim pappa Thursday, 12 September 2013 03:40 AM

Welcome aboard, Mr. Abbott. You are fortunate that you don't have a Jayalalitha in your country,

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