INTODUCTION

CHOGM was successfully and colourfully held in Colombo in a grand style.

Venue;-Nelum pokuna , BMICH and Waters Edge
Date   :-15th November To 17th November

Why is CHOGM important?

CHOGM provides a unique forum to pursue trade and investment opportunities, reinforce our strong people-to-people links and promote our shared values.Though expenditure is very high,the long term benefits will be rewarding for Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka is a peaceful country following eradication of LTTE terrorism,which devatated the country and hindered developement.President Mahinda Rajapaksa is on the fast tract path to develope the country and achieve harmony among the ethnic communities.
Srilanka is a popular tourist destination with beautiful  sceneries,golden beaches,surfing and sun bathing spots.
Hotel rates are cheap with 3/4/5 star resorts with comfortable,luxury,rooms and lots of fun and recreation activities.

http://www.sltda.lk

http://www.srilankatourism.org

 



Sri Lanka is also a profitable investment opportunities.-Tax holidays,infrastucture fascilities and cheap and skilled lobour.Two modern ports are in place Colombo and Hambanthota for quick imports and exports clearing.

http://www.investsrilanka.com

Zambia

The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 countries that support each other and work together towards shared goals in democracy and development.

The Commonwealth is home to two billion citizens of all faiths and ethnicities and includes some of the world's largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries. Over half of its citizens are 25 or under. Member countries come from six regions: Africa (18); Asia (8); the Americas (3); the Caribbean (10); Europe (3); and the South Pacific (11).

Most recent members include the following: Rwanda admitted at the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting; Cameroon; and Mozambique the first country with no historical or administrative association to the Commonwealth to join.

History

The association has roots as far back as the 1870s.

The Commonwealth believes the best democracies are achieved through partnerships of governments, business and civil society.

Beyond the ties of history, language and institutions, members are united through the associations values of democracy, freedom, peace, the rule of law and opportunity for all.

These values were agreed and set down by all Commonwealth Heads of Government at two of their biennial meetings (known as CHOGMs) in Singapore in 1971 and reaffirmed in Harare in 1991.

The values are protected at government level by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), a rotating group of nine foreign ministers, which assesses the nature of any infringement and recommends measures for collective action from member countries. It can suspend or recommend to Heads of Government that a member country be expelled. When countries are suspended, the Commonwealth makes every effort to bring them back into the fold.

While CMAG represents one aspect of the Commonwealths commitment to democratic principles, many more discreet interventions are made through good offices work, where specially appointed representatives conduct quiet diplomacy to help prevent or resolve conflicts, and build dialogue and democratic structures.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the Commonwealth. Kamalesh Sharma, current Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, is the principal global advocate for the Commonwealth and Chief Executive of the Secretariat.

There are three intergovernmental organisations:

• Commonwealth Secretariat - executes plans agreed by Commonwealth Heads of Government through technical assistance, advice and policy development

• Commonwealth Foundation - helps civil society organisations promote democracy, development and cultural understanding

• Commonwealth of Learning - encourages the development and sharing of open learning and distance education

The current Commonwealth Secretary-General is Mr.Kamalesh Sharma.

Resources:Official Website CHOGM