By Colombo Telegraph –
Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma is expected to discuss, among other issues, options for advancing Commonwealth values and principles, including the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers. “The Commonwealth approach is to highlight our shared values and to offer best-fit practical assistance that helps achieve progress” says Richard Uku, Official Spokesperson and Director of Communications and Public Affairs.
Kamalesh Sharma
Issuing statement Richard Uku says; Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma will visit Sri Lanka from 10 to 13 February 2013, his third visit to the country as Secretary-General.
The Secretary-General will discuss matters of shared interest between Sri Lanka and the Commonwealth, including the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which takes place in Sri Lanka in November. The Secretary-General will review organisational preparations for CHOGM and discuss possible outcomes that Sri Lanka and Commonwealth leaders will want to achieve at the summit.
Richard Uku said: “We want the 2013 summit to achieve significant outcomes for all members. It should show ways in which all Commonwealth citizens – be they city dwellers or residents of remote communities – can increasingly become beneficiaries of national development and growth, and be confident that they can shape their societies through democratic culture and processes. Development and democracy are mutually reinforcing.”
During the Secretary-General’s last visit in September 2012, his discussions with government identified a number of areas in which Sri Lanka and the Commonwealth would collaborate to deepen their partnership. These included the strengthening of the Human Rights Commission; strengthening the public service, local government, electoral institutions and processes; youth entrepreneurship; sport for development and peace; supporting implementation of the report of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission; legislative drafting; and strengthening an independent media. The Commonwealth Secretariat has been working with the Government of Sri Lanka to take all of these forward.
The Secretary-General’s engagements in Colombo will include meetings with the President, the Speaker of Parliament and the Minister of External Affairs.
Senguttuvan / February 10, 2013
The circumstances under which the active role played by Sharma to
enable CHOGM this year to be held in Colombo has come under much
speculation. That is because at the time the decision was made Sri
Lanka has been remiss in several areas – suspect governance under the democratic nameplate, denial of rights to an entire minority nation, growing familial rule, HR & War Crimes allegations, a climate of intimidation within, several journos killed, missing or taken flight – and other being a few then. It has become worse – with an attack by the regime on the judiciary on the top of the list.
Sharma’s major – if not only card – appears to be to argue the venue cannot be shifted due to the lack of time. Can he convince UK, Canada, Australia and many others whose estimate of the Rajapakse rule is somewhat abysmal at best.
Senguttuvan
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srilal / February 10, 2013
Forget about Australia, Ausis have already pleaded to give all the expertise and technical support that they gained from Perth CHOGAM.
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Dodo / February 11, 2013
The Commonwealth of Nations aka. Commonwealth of Clowns is an obsolete, irrelevant British colonial remnant which even the British do NOT take seriously! Unlike G-8-, G-12, BRICS, UN other international organizations…
The Commonwealth of Clowns is an organization that gives third world dictators a stage to STRUT ON and feel important, headed as it is by KS a national of the wanna be South Asia regional super power Indian which is a basket case of war with its own people’s Human Rights in Kashmir, Northeast, and the Maoist belt that traverses 12 states…
The collusion between third world dictatorships in Asia and Africa to keep this Commonwealth Circus going is to boost their egos.
Sri Lankan Tax payers have spent massive sums on Commonwealth Games circuses – bids and Commonwealth Parliament circus in Colombo last year with no payback. Latimar House rules are not worth the paper they are printed on! The Rajapakse Dictatorship has gone from strength to strength in Lanka with support from Commonwealth of Clowns supports viz. impeachment of CJ, militarization and power grab by Rajapassa family Dictatorship/
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Real Peace / February 10, 2013
I think KS would find it extremely difficult to say the CHOGM can go ahead in Sri lanka this year, unless, of course, he also has the identical mindset of Mahinda-the-murderer……!!
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srilal / February 10, 2013
Another clown, ideal for the SL card pack.
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Piranha / February 10, 2013
I think suspension from the Commonwealth is on the cards>
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susilpremawathie / February 11, 2013
It should be. Commonwealth should teach a good lesson to this Dictator and his family.
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srilal / February 11, 2013
“The Commonwealth summit will be held in Sri Lanka as scheduled, the official spokesperson and Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Commonwealth Secretariat, Richard Uku, told the Colombo Gazette.
He also denied reports that some countries had requested that the summit be shifted out of Sri Lanka over human rights allegations.
“No member government of the Commonwealth has called for CHOGM 2013 to be moved from Sri Lanka. Preparations are underway for the summit to be held in Colombo as scheduled,” Uku told the Colombo Gazette.”
11/02/2013
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Mahela / February 13, 2013
CHOGM is another elete club membership fun event. There is nothing other than Fun,music,frolic, good food, spirits, love,travel,sun and sand and lot of photo-ops for albums, media publicity…and an opportunity to Rajapakses to cover their dirt.
But for the country and citizen there is nothing except chasing all the beggers for all over the country, lots of traffic jams,identity checks, security etc.
Also in the sly prices of essential goods could go up….while more limousines and Rolls Royces could import on sly.
More commission for various projects and additional service providers
THIS IS THE FUN BONUS FOR SUPREME PARLIAMENT MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND TOP GOVT.SERVANTS…….WHILE PEOPLE MAY HAVE TO STAY IN BREAD LINES.
Other than the fun for Maha Raja family and parliament members and their friends….., there is absolutely nothing the Govt. or we citizen or the economy get out of this CHOGM.
AWAIT FOR NEXT PRICE HIKE OF ALL ESSENTIAL ITEMS.
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Safa / February 10, 2013
KS is here and cards are on the table. In any case this is just a prep talk. Geneva and then CMAG to come. Time to repent for the Govt. You cant fool all the people all the time.
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Saman Wijesiri / February 10, 2013
Will this regime establish an independent Human Rights Commission as a bulwark against the violation of human rights? Will it establish an Independent Public Service Commission to strengthen the public service? Will it establish an Independent Elections Commission to strengthen local government and electoral processes? Will it establish an Independent Media Commission or enact the Right to Information legislation to strengthen the independence of media? This regime does not care two hoots about for commonwealth values and principles. They want to hold the Summit as a means of tightening their grip on absolute power. It is a delusion to expect this regime to make a turnaround towards democracy. Ours is worse than the Fiji situation in certain respects. Dear Mr. Sharma, do you think that our despotic ruler who does not care to implement the recommendations of his own LLRC would care to share the Commonwealth values and principles? The only way to rein in this regime’s gallop towards a brutish tyranny is to suspend it from the Commonwealth and shift the venue of this year’s Summit to another country. People in this country are tired of hearing cosmetic platitudes, expressions of grave concern from various world organizations. We want action now ! nothing short of solid action !
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susilpremawathie / February 11, 2013
In short India should take stern action to re implement 17th amendment, and re appoint Shirani B as CJ of SL.
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gamini / February 10, 2013
This is how India and America are helping MR in achieving their agendas at the expense of the Tamils, paying lip service to Human Rights.
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Citizen / February 10, 2013
This time MR went on a pilgrimage to Buddha Gaya and to Thiruppathy amidst strong opposition and prayed to calm their mind. Will India and America rely on lies and deception of MR and will Lord Venketeswara be deceived again?
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gamini / February 11, 2013
Citizen, America, India and MR put together they will deceieve even God leave alone Lord Venketeswara. They have been successful so far.
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bensen Berner / February 11, 2013
As usual this corrupt fellow will be “looked after” well
Bensen
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