Despite opposition, PM likely to go to Sri Lanka for CHOGM summit
Despite opposition from the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to go to Colombo for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), according to sources. Sources say that an advance security team has completed its Colombo recce.Sources say that the Prime Minister is likely to go to Colombo for a few hours to attend the inauguration of the summit. Hotel bookings and other travel arrangements have also been made, according to sources. However, a final decision on the Prime Minister’s visit will be taken after the Cabinet gives its approval or disapproval.
Earlier this month, the Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a resolution unanimously urging the Centre to boycott the CHOGM in Colombo. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
“The Prime Minister’s statement that he will participate in CHOGM meet is a huge disappointment,” she said. All political parties in Tamil Nadu including the Congress are demanding that India should boycott the meeting in protest against what they call genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
They are also urging the PM to visit Tamil areas in the north and east of Sri Lanka. The 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 15 to 17 November 2013.
However, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam said that India will be isolated if Prime Minister Manmohan Singh doesn’t attend the summit. Speaking to CNN-IBN, Kariyawasam said, “If PM Singh doesn’t go, we have to think about who it will affect. Who will be isolated? Every other country barring Canada is attending. So those who don’t attend will be in isolation.” “The Tamil Nadu Assembly is uninformed on the status of Tamils and eventually, the decision on PM Singh’s visit is prerogative of Indian government only,” he added. (IBN Live)