Govt. still clings to hope regarding Indian PM attending CHOGM
November 11, 2013 05:14 pm
The government
still believes that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may attend the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the last minute, Media Minister Keheliya
Rambukwella stated.
He said that
like the Canadian Prime Minister, the Indian PM too was sending a delegation
for CHOGM in his place.
Speaking at a
press conference held in Colombo today (November 11), the Minister added that
it was regrettable that some dignitaries were unable to attend the meeting but
claimed that 37 leaders had now committed to attending CHOGM and that those who
cannot attend will not obstruct the progress of the meeting.
He also
explained that as controversial Channel Four journalist Callum Macrae was part
of UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s 30-man delegation it would not have been
justifiable to only restrict him from entering the country.
Rambukwella
said that he believes that the journalist can see the country’s situation for
himself and correct his wrongs through his experience.
Answering a
question on two Australian journalists who arrived in Sri Lanka on tourist
visas and were then deported, the Minister said that the rule of law is more
important than the country’s image.
However, when
questioned on how that belief applies to James Packer arriving in Sri Lanka on a
tourist visa to address a business summit, the Minister stated that a tourist
visa was no obstacle for discussing business.
