External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris said the Indian Prime Minister has expressed his inability to participate in CHOGM.

“The Indian Premier does not need to give reasons for not participating at CHOGM,” the Minister said responding to a question by a journalist at a media briefing at the CHOGM media centre at the BMICH premises.

Minister Peiris added that at previous CHOGMs too, all those expected to participate did not do so.

“There will be no impact whatsoever on the outcome of the CHOGM by the absence of a few participants,” he said.

When a scribe questioned about the absence of the Prime Minister of Mauritius at the CHOGM,

Minister of Foreign Affairs Regional Integration and Internal Trade of Mauritius Dr. Arvin Boolell said that “he has come to represent his Prime Minister at the CHOGM.” He added that Mauritius has close ties with Sri Lanka.

Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States was held at the Hilton Hotel to discuss the issues faced by small states which comprise 32 out of the 53 Commonwealth countries. They discussed finding a practical solution for growth of equity in a spirit of inclusiveness guaranteeing that no state is being left behind.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados Ms. Maxine Pamela Ometa Maclean also spoke at the press conference.

Source: Daily News (Sri Lanka)