CHOGM 2013

The CHOGM is Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting. It is held every 2 years to enable leaders of commonwealth countries to come together to discuss global and commonwealth issues and etc. This is the first time an Asian country is hosting the summit in 24 years and it is in Sri Lanka. The first CHOGM was held in 1971, and there have been 21 held in total. The most recent was held in Australia. They are held once every two years, although this pattern has twice been interrupted. They are held around the Commonwealth, rotating by invitation among st its members.
Issues discussed at previous CHOGMS include international peace and security, democracy, climate change, multilateral trade issues, good governance, sustainable development, small states, debt management, education, environment, gender equality, health, human rights, information and communication technology, and youth affairs.

The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 countries that support each other and work together towards shared goals in democracy and development. It is home to 2.2 billion citizens and over 60% of these are under the age of 30. The Commonwealth includes some of the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries, spanning five regions. 32 of its members are small states, many of them island nations.

Commonwealth Countries

There are 54 independent states working together in the common interests of their citizens for development, democracy and peace.

in Africa region

Africa
Botswana
Cameroon
Ghana
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Rwanda
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Swaziland
Uganda
United Republic of Tanzania
Zambia

in Asia region

Bangladesh
Brunei Darussalam
India
Malaysia
Maldives
Pakistan
Singapore
Sri Lanka

in Caribbean and Americas

Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Jamaica
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and The Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago

in Europe region

Cyprus
Malta
United Kingdom

in Pacific region

Australia
Fiji
Kiribati
Nauru
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Tuvalu
Vanuatu

Colombo - Katunayake Expressway

The Colombo - Katunayake Expressway is Sri Lanka's second "E Class" highway. It's connects Colombo and the "Bandaranayake International Airport" at Katunayake. The total distance of the expressway is around 25 kilometers. The speed limits are 80 kmph and 100 kmph. International standard features have been added to ensure the safety. Emergency exits have also been established for emergency casualty evacuation.


Entry point is "Peliyagoda" is near to New Kelani bridge and 6 lanes are available between New Kelani bridge and Peliyagoda. 4 lanes are available between Peliyagoda and katunayake. Expected travel time is around 20 minutes. It is expected to connect to the proposed "Outer Circular Highway" at Kerawalapitiya.

The entire extent of the expressway is covered by CCTV cameras and 54 large screens at the central operation room at Seeduwa help authorities monitor the expressway on 24 hours.

The expressway is passing through the open land of "Muthurajawela" marshes and the lagoon of Negambo by giving a natural beauty. Special attention was paid during the construction to preserve the natural environment as the expressway winds its way through the Muthurajawela marshes and the Negombo lagoon.

It has opened from 22nd October to 24th October 2013 for Public viewing.

at Public viewing

The expressway was public on 27th October by his Excellency the President Hon. Mahinda Rajapakse.

The Opening Ceremony

Trincomalee

Is famed for its natural harbor. It is ranked as the world’s 5^th largest natural harbors. During the Second World War the harbor became the base for the combined East Asian fleet of the allied powers. It is the ideal beach resort. All water sports are available here including fishing and sea angling. Whales watching is a specialty. Located at the mouth of Sri Lanka’s largest river “Mahaweli” river. Trinco’s most famous landmark is “Fort Fedrick”, a century and a half of British fortification can be found here. The cliff known as Swami Rock on the tip of Fort Fedrick’s promontory is associated with a tragic romantic tale women around a Dutch median who is believed to have jumped to her death from this spot seeing her fickle lower sailing away. The “Thirukoneswaram Kovil” which stands on the top most pinnacle of the “Swamy Rock” is a highly venerated Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. About 11 km from west of Trinco are the Kanniyai Hot-Springs, sacred to Hindus who believe them to be a creation of God "Vishnu".

Galle Face

Gall Face, the mile long promenade which borders the Fort on the South, is the largest open air stretch in the city affording a beautiful view of the sunset. Around it care the main city hotels, from the "Galle Face" hotel which was established in 1864, the "Galadari" hotel and the "Taj Samudra". Nearby are the "Hilton", the "Cinnamon Grand" and "Ramada". The Galle Face is located between Colombo Fort Light house and Gall Face hotel. It is long beach with walking track and ground. Extra beauty is added by "Palmyrah" trees and "Coconut" trees in parallel to Gall road. The Gall Face ground is located between Gall road and beach. People are enjoying with their family members and friends in the Galle Face area in day and night. In the evening you can see beautiful view of the sunset. At night time also you can see Gall Face area very beautifully. You can see broad area in the Gall Face with colorful hotels and structures. You can enjoy 24 hours in this area with foods drinks and others. Old parliament and old Colombo courts located near the Gall Face. In addition you can see Colombo Light house, old artilleries fixed on the "Chethiya road" and Fort "Chaithyaya"(Stupa). Several ships are anchored in sea near the Gall Face. You can see Colombo expansion port now in the Galle Face.

Gal oya National Park & Senanayake Samudraya

Gal oya National Park in Sri Lanka was established in 1954 and serves as the main catchment area for "Senanayake Samudraya", the largest reservoir in Sri Lanka. "Senanayake Samudraya" was built under the Gal oya development project by damming the Gal oya at "Inginiyagala" in 1950. Gal oya reservoir currently defined as "Senanayake Samudraya" is the largest and very special among other reservoirs in Sri Lanka in various manners. Gal oya Scheme is one of the largest 4 modern irrigation projects of Sri Lanka. This scheme involved the restoration of a number of ancient medium scale reservoirs & construction of the "Senanayake Samudraya" (7680 ha), the largest reservoir in the history of Sri Lanka. "Senanayake Samudraya" is one of the main project of the Scheme. Senanayake reservoir which consist a catchment area of 384 square miles has been constructed by the earthen dam of which is 3600 feet in length and 140 feet in height comprising 2 million cubic yards of soils. This can store 770000 acre feet capacity of water. A concrete spill of which is 1020 feet in length has been constructed far away from the main dam to inspections. It is 770 feet in spill length and 60 feet in height comprising 6 doors and distributes water by the sluice with 13 feet in diameter. From 1954 to 1965 the park was administrated by the Gal oya Development Board until the Department of Wildlife Conservation took over administration. The National Park is situated 314 km from Colombo The Gal oya Development Board established several protected areas to protect the catchment areas of "Senanayake Samudraya" and several other reservoirs.