http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20111025_02


Sri Lanka President attending CHOGM welcomed in Australia
www.defence.lk">President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Sri Lankan delegation attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting arrived at perth International Airport on Monday. The president and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa were welcomed by Senator for Western Australia, Mark Bishop and Membeof Western Australian Parliament Mrs.Elizabeth Behjat at the Airport. D. Frank Crawley, Consul for Western Australia, High Commissioner Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, Deputy High Commissioner, A.L. Rathnapala were also present.
The Meeting will be held in Perth from 28th to 30th of this month. Heads of Government from 54 countries and about 3000 delegates will attend this Summit, which will be chaired by the Australian Prime Minister Mrs. Julia Gillard.
At this year's meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government, it is expected to focus attention on food security, sustainable development and development of the national resources and global challenges being faced by the member countries, challenges of the global economic crisis, and climatic disasters.
The Chairmanship of the Commonwealth is to be handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at this Summit and accordingly Sri Lanka will be hosting the next CHOGM.
The Sri Lankan delegation included Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L.Peiris, Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, the Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera, Parliamentarian Sajin Vas Gunawardene and the Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge. (niz)