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Queen who did not attend Rajapakses’ CHOGM warmly welcomes Maithripala at same conference in Malta -6.6 million pounds aid promised

(Lanka-e-News - 29.Nov.2015, 11.30PM) The 24 th commonwealth conference under the theme ‘Commonwealth is a new strength to global value ’ was commenced in Malta day before yesterday forenoon (27) . The conference was chaired by the Queen Elizabeth the second.

President Maithripala Sirisena of SL who is the present chairman of the commonwealth ceremonially handed over his post to Malta for the next two years.Heads of states and representatives of 53 countries which are members of the Commonwealth participated in this conference.

When this Commowealth conference was held in SL , it was Mahinda Rajapakse who was the president of SL. The Queen Elizabeth who was the head of the Commonwealth did not attend it, and did not come to SL.Only Prince Charles arrived. However the Queen arriving in Malta to chair the Commonwealth conference is something of special significance.

Nevertheless , when the president of SL Maithripala Sirisena elected by the people of the rainbow revolution attended the conference in Malta , he received a warm special welcome from the Queen.

Yesterday , British P.M. David Cameron met with president Maithripala Sirisena . At the discussions , Cameron admired the resilience shown by SL after a long drawn out war.In recognition of the long term ties between the two countries , Cameron confirmed , sterling pounds 6.6 million as aid will be granted by Britain , towards building stability and self sufficiency of SL. This aid will include providing training by Britain in connection with re settlement of families displaced during the war , and the re construction relating to the SL security camps of the forces.

Meanwhile president Maithripala said , his resigning the chairman post of the Commonwealth while the Queen Elizabeth is the exclusive chief of the conference who is held in high esteem by all is something that gives him great delight .

The homes of two billion people belong to the commonwealth .He is aware that the commonwealth is contributing to the alleviation of poverty and economic porsperity , apart from creating an important environment for trade and investment .’Yet in respect of our country , selling our raw materials out should cease ,and attention shall be focused on providing aid to develop our own valuable Industries ,’ the president pointed out.

Meanwhile Mangala Samaraweera the minister of foreign affairs who is attending the Commonwealth conference in Malta signed the agreement yesterday to launch a commonwealth trade fund . This fund aims at providing funds towards smaller countries . Agreements between SL and India , Malta and Mauritius were signed by the respective foreign ministers, Mangala Samaraweera revealed.

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by (2015-11-29 20:39:26)

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