The biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa International Conference Hall was inaugurated today (15) morning during a colourful ceremony, graced by more than 30 foreign delegates, including Heads of State.This year’s CHOGM is held for the first time in an Asian country after 24 years where its Chairmanship is to be accepted by HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the next two years. The CHOGM enables leaders of Commonwealth countries to come together to discuss global and Commonwealth issues for collective policy-making and initiatives.
The CHOGM, jointly organized by the host country and the Commonwealth Secretariat consists of a Commonwealth Youth Forum, Commonwealth People’s Forum, Commonwealth Business Forum, spouses programmes and several other related parleys, attended by members of International Youth Forums, leading international business magnates, foreign state officials and respective representatives.
With the use of latest technology, Sri Lanka Army as well as all other services, President’s Security Division, Ministerial Security Division, Police and other related agencies have undertaken security and transport arrangements for the CHOGM delegates. 676 officers and 14,000 other ranks of the tri-services supported by more than 50,000 Police and support security wings on standby, have been assigned to those security and transport tasks.
