CHOGM 2013 prep ‘impressive and on track’: Sharma

Preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting are ‘impressive and on track’ Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma noted at the conclusion of a three-day visit to the island yesterday.

“My visit provided an opportunity to be briefed on the preparations for the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to be hosted by Sri Lanka in November, as decided by Commonwealth Heads of Government in 2009 and confirmed in 2011,” a release by the Commonwealth Secretariat quoted Sharma as saying.

As a result of consultations during his visit, Sharma says the Commonwealth and Sri Lanka have agreed to enhance collaboration on areas including electoral institutions, human rights, reconciliation, the independence of the media and the Judiciary.

Sharma said he had emphasised the importance of the Commonwealth’s Latimer House Principles on the separation of powers, the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary, with regard to the recent impeachment of the Chief Justice.

“We welcome the recognition of the need for change, to ensure that any such process in future is free of contention and does not call into question Sri Lanka’s commitment to the independence of the Judiciary and separation of powers,” the Secretary General’s statement said.

Sharma said he had also met with Elections Commissioner, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, and the diplomatic community during his visit to Colombo.

The Commonwealth adds value globally in its work in democracy, development and diversity. We can expect the 2013 Heads of Government Meeting to have a focus on inclusive growth and development opportunities.

The Secretary General said that the Commonwealth had agreed to pursue a partnership with Sri Lanka in various priority areas that were jointly identified during my last visit in September 2012. There has been marked progress in a number of these areas in the last six months, as outlined in the annex to this statement.

(DB)