Sri Lanka to use summit to showcase developments

The Sri Lankan government on Wednesday said that it will use a key Commonwealth summit in November to showcase the post-war developments in the country. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be held in Sri Lanka in November this year, and heads of state from almost all the Commonwealth countries, including Britain's Prince Charles, will attend the summit. The Sri Lankan Ministry of External Affairs said that Sri Lanka will be able to show the developments following a three-decade separatist terrorist conflict and the vast economic opportunities available in the country. It also said that the Commonwealth Business Forum, which will be held alongside the summit and attracts extensive participation both from within and outside the Commonwealth, will serve as a springboard for Sri Lanka to promote trade and investment and further enhance economic cooperation. "Preparation of investment projects and sectors for cooperation is already under way, and the response is encouraging participation at the Commonwealth Business Forum later this year. The objective of the government with regard to the outcome of CHOGM 2013 is to derive the maximum benefit for the people of the country by making full use of a unique opportunity," the Ministry of External Affairs said. Amidst reports that huge sums of money will be used by the Sri Lankan government for the summit, the government said that all expenditure in relation to CHOGM 2013 will be met from existing budgetary provisions, and additional funds for this purpose will not be resorted to. "In this context, it is regrettable to observe a negative attitude from some quarters, considering that this event is of a national character and worthy of support across party lines," the ministry said.