Govt. to bring in fleet of luxury vehicles for CHOGM
The government for the first time yesterday announced that a fleet of luxury vehicles would be 'brought in' for the use of 53 heads of state participating in the November Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM), adding that the whole event would initially cost Rs. 1.95 billion.
Prince Charles who would be leading the UK delegation can’t be provided with a Toyota or a Morris Minor
Cabinet spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a weekly cabinet news briefing the international showpiece would showcase Sri Lanka's traditional hospitality and friendship to the outer world.
"We must treat the heads of state who participate in the CHOGM befitting their dignity, respect and sovereignty of their respective countries. The hospitality must also display Sri Lanka's honour and its custom of treating visitors respectfully and benevolently," Minister Rambukwella said.
He said Prince Charles who would be leading the UK delegation could not be provided with a Toyota or Morris Minor. He should be provided with a luxury car that fits a prince. Other heads of state must also be provided with transport with similar esteem as a number of travelling programmes have been arranged for them during their three day stay in November 15 - 17.
Minister Rambukwella stressed the CHOGM would no doubt be a boost to Sri Lanka's tourism sector, business and investments as sever-
W e must treat the heads of state who participate in the CHOGM befitting their dignity and sovereignty of their respective countries.The hospitality must also display Sri Lanka's
honour
al other events such as the Business Forum and Youth Forum on the sidelines of the CHOGM have been arranged.
"There were attempts to deprive Sri Lanka from hosting the CHOGM mainly by the Tamil Diaspora and countries hostile to Sri Lanka. Unfortunately certain individuals of the opposition have also trying to take away the CHOGM from Sri Lanka which is a treacherous and anti national act. What they expect from this betrayal," Minister Rambukwella asked.
The hosting of CHOGM is the biggest international event in South Asia in 24 years and it is something all Sri Lankans can be proud of and added there is a huge fight among Commonwealth countries to host the next CHOGM in 2015 because it is a prestige to a country.
Commenting on the issuance of media accreditation to foreign journalists to cover CHOGM, Minister Rambukwella reiterated that the issue is solely in the hands of Sri Lankan government.