No disruptions to daily activities in Colombo despite CHOGM: Govt.

Wednesday, 6 November 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government expects the VIPs invited to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to start arriving in the country from Saturday.

According to the Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Karunathilaka Amunugama, leaders of 37 countries have officially confirmed their participation in the summit so far and that is more than the number of state leaders attended the CHOGM 2011held in Perth Australia. All arrangements are finalized to conduct the summit under the instructions and supervision of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. Activities of the CHOGM 2013 will begin 10 November with the opening ceremonies of the Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) and the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF), taking place in Hambantota and Galle respectively. The Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) will be held for five days from 10-14 November, in the southern port city of Hambantota while the Commonwealth People’s Forum will take place 10 - 14 November, in Hikkaduwa, Galle. The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) will follow on 12 November in Colombo. It will be held from 12 - 14 November in Colombo. The CHOGM 2013 opening ceremony will take place 15 November at the Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre. There will be many CHOGM-related events taking place from 10 November onwards, the Task Force Secretariat for CHOGM 2013 said. However, day to day activities in Colombo city would not be hindered due to the Commonwealth events, Secretary to Mass Media and Information Ministry Dr. Charitha Herath said. There will be a special traffic plan in operation in the capital city to direct and ensure the smooth flow of traffic without hindrance and the access roads to Colombo will not be closed, he said. He said the public would be informed of traffic arrangements before any changes. According to Herath, only three main routes will be closed for a limited time during the Summit in Colombo and that would not hamper daily business in the city. Commenting on the media accreditation, the Secretary said over 300 foreign media personnel and about 530 local media personnel have already been registered. The Media Centre at the BMICH premises would be in operation from 11-17November.