View source for 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

{{EngvarB|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox summit meeting
| summit_name  = 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
| other_titles = CHOGM 2013
| image        = Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013 logo.png
| alt          = <!-- See [[Wikipedia:Alternative text for images]] -->
| caption      =
| country      = {{flag|Sri Lanka}}
| dates        = {{nowrap|15&ndash;17 November 2013}}
| venues       = [[Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre]], [[Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall]], Waters Edge
| cities       = [[Colombo]]
| participants = 50<ref name=communique/>
| heads_of_state_label = Heads of [[Head of Government|Government]]/[[Heads of State|State]]
| heads_of_state = 27<ref name=BP171113>{{cite news|title=Commonwealth puts on united front after summit rifts|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/380283/commonwealth-to-put-on-united-front-after-summit-rifts|newspaper=[[Bangkok Post]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref>
| chairperson  = [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]
| follows      = [[2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting|2011]]
| precedes     = [[2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting|2015]]
| keypoints    = Colombo Declaration on Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Development<br>Trackle High Debt & Poverty<br>Boycott over [[Human rights in Sri Lanka]] 
| website      =
}}
The '''2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting''' ('''CHOGM'''; {{IPAc-en|ˈ|tʃ|ɒ|g|əm}}) was the 23rd [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting|Meeting]] of the [[Commonwealth Heads of Government|Heads of Government]] of the [[Commonwealth of Nations]]. It was held in [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka]], from 15 to 17 November 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commonwealth announces dates for 2013 Heads of Government meeting|url=http://secretariat.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/251758/071212chogm.htm|publisher=[[Commonwealth Secretariat]]|date=7 December 2012}}</ref> [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] leaders agreed on [[Sri Lanka]] as the 2013 host for the meeting when they met in [[Port of Spain]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]], in 2009. Sri Lanka, which was originally slated to host the summit in 2011, was accused of [[Alleged war crimes during the final stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War|committing atrocities]] during the [[Sri Lankan civil war]] and the summit was instead held in [[Perth]], Australia; Colombo was given the 2013 summit instead.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gordon Brown will not back Sri Lanka's bid to host Commonwealth summit |first=Philip |last=Webster |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=27 November 2009 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6934131.ece |location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ottawa opposes Sri Lanka bid to host next Commonwealth summit |first=Steven |last=Chase |newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]] |date=27 November 2009 |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ottawa-opposes-sri-lanka-bid-to-host-next-commonwealth-summit/article1381338/ |location=Toronto}}</ref> The leaders of Canada, Mauritius, and India boycotted the summit, citing alleged human rights violations by Sri Lanka against its [[Tamil people|Tamil]] minority.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mauritius pulls out of CHOGM|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/mauritius-pulls-out-of-chogm-20131113-2xf7c.html|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=13 November 2013|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mauritius pulls out of hosting 2015 CHOGM: PM|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/?pageNumber=1&parentId=130222&operation=complaint|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]|date=16 November 2013|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]}}</ref> Protests were also banned during the summit.<ref name="aljazeera1">{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/11/colombo-summit-overshadowed-rights-row-2013111555924334578.html |title=Colombo summit overshadowed by rights row |publisher=Al Jazeera English |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> President [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] summarised the summit's events as: "Issues covered in the communique include development, political values, [[global threats]], challenges and Commonwealth cooperation."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/11/war-crimes-dominate-commonwealth-summit-20131117133558811920.html|title=War crimes dominate commonwealth summit}}</ref> However, the meeting was overshadowed by controversy over Sri Lanka's [[Human rights in Sri Lanka|human rights record]] and the alleged war crimes during the final stages of the civil war.<ref name=AJ151113>{{cite news|title=Colombo summit overshadowed by rights row|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/11/colombo-summit-overshadowed-rights-row-2013111555924334578.html|newspaper=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|date=15 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka summit overshadowed by human rights record|url=http://www.itv.com/news/2013-11-13/sri-lanka-summit-overshadowed-by-human-rights-record/|newspaper=[[ITV News]]|date=16 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=CHOGM 2013: Commonwealth leaders sign communiqué on poverty reduction and trade as talks close|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-18/commonwealth-leaders-sign-agreement-on-3f3f-as-chogm-closes/5097976|newspaper=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref> This was the first time in 40 years that the [[Head of the Commonwealth]], [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]], was not present at the CHOGM.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cavill|first=Amanda|title=Controversy stalks Sri Lanka's CHOGM|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/11/12/controversy-stalks-sri-lankas-chogm|newspaper=[[SBS World News]]|date=12 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Perfidious Albion cannot change its spots|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=36793|newspaper=[[TamilNet]]|date=5 November 2013}}</ref>

==Background==
At the [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2007]] in [[Kampala]], Uganda, Commonwealth leaders agreed on Sri Lanka as the host for the [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2011|2011 meeting]].<ref>{{cite web|title=CHOGM ends in Kampala|url=http://secretariat.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/173062/251107chogmclose.htm|publisher=[[Commonwealth Secretariat]]|date=25 November 2007|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20131118024020/http://secretariat.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/173062/251107chogmclose.htm|archivedate=18 November 2013}}</ref> However, during the final stages of the [[Sri Lankan civil war]] the government was accused of committing [[Alleged war crimes during the final stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War|war crimes]], and hence at the [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2009]] in [[Port of Spain]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]] it was decided that the 2011 meeting would be held in [[Perth]], [[Australia]] whilst Sri Lanka would host the 2013 meeting.<ref>{{cite news|last=Watt|first=Nicholas|title=Commonwealth vetoes Sri Lanka bid to hold 2011 gathering|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/29/commonwealth-vetoes-sri-lanka-bid|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=29 November 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Australia to host 2011 Commonwealth meeting|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/australia-to-host-2011-commonwealth-meeting-20091129-jyit.html|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=29 November 2009|agency=[[Australian Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Chase|first=Steven|title=Ottawa opposes Sri Lanka bid to host next Commonwealth summit|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ottawa-opposes-sri-lanka-bid-to-host-next-commonwealth-summit/article1381338/|newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]]|date=27 November 2009|location=Toronto}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Webster|first=Philip|title=Gordon Brown will not back Sri Lanka's bid to host Commonwealth summit|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6934131.ece|newspaper=[[The Times]]|date=27 November 2009|location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> At the 2011 meeting Commonwealth leaders reaffirmed that the 2013 meeting would be held in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commonwealth leaders release CHOGM 2011 Communiqué|url=http://secretariat.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/241632/301011communique.htm|publisher=[[Commonwealth Secretariat]]|date=30 October 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20131118023949/http://secretariat.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/241632/301011communique.htm|archivedate=18 November 2013}}</ref>

In May 2013, [[Buckingham Palace]] announced that Queen [[Elizabeth II]] would not be attending the meeting.<ref>{{cite news|title=Queen to miss Commonwealth meeting|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22431757|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=7 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Queen to miss Commonwealth meeting in Sri Lanka|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/sri-lanka-queen-commonwealth-summit-prince-charles|newspaper=[[Channel 4 News]]|date=7 May 2013}}</ref> [[Charles, Prince of Wales]], would be attending in the 87-year-old monarch's place, as she has curtailed her overseas visits due to age.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davison|first=Janet|title=Prince Charles gets higher Commonwealth role as Queen stays home|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/prince-charles-gets-higher-commonwealth-role-as-queen-stays-home-1.1342380|newspaper=[[CBC News]]|date=8 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Mayer|first=Catherine|title=The Queen's Era Is Drawing to an End as Prince Charles Assumes New Royal Duties|url=https://world.time.com/2013/05/07/prince-charles-takes-on-queen-elizabeths-duties/|newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=7 May 2013}}</ref>

==Organisation==
[[Sri Lankan Airlines]] bore the logo of the summit.<ref name="airlines"/>

===Venues===
Amongst the venues, an unnamed branch of the Sri Lankan government, said that the main summit venue, in the capital, [[Colombo]] - [[Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall]] - is an "outright gift from the Government and People of the People's Republic of China."<ref name=airlines>{{cite news |author=Category: Chogm 2013 |url=http://news.lk/features/chogm-2013/6912-srilankan-ready-to-welcome-the-attendees-of-chogm-2013 |title=SriLankan ready to welcome the attendees of CHOGM 2013 |publisher=News.lk |accessdate=2013-11-17 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230632/http://news.lk/features/chogm-2013/6912-srilankan-ready-to-welcome-the-attendees-of-chogm-2013 |archivedate=2 December 2013}}</ref><ref name=AJ111113>{{cite news|last=Shanker|first=V. Prem|title=CHOGM: Indian PM's absence to benefit China?|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/2013/11/chogm-indian-pm-absence-benefit-china-201311118392960885.html|newspaper=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|date=11 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Senanayake|first=Maheen|title=The BMICH Four Decades on|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=78784|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=12 May 2013}}</ref> The opening ceremony was held at Colombo's [[Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre]]. The leaders' retreat was at Waters Edge in the [[Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte]] suburb of the capital. Other venues included the International Convention Centre, [[Hambantota]]; Chaya Tranz, [[Hikkaduwa]]; and the [[Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo|Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Colombo]].<ref name=airlines /><ref>{{cite web|title=Venues|url=http://www.chogm2013.lk/index.php/paricipant-info/venues/|publisher=CHOGM 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116021318/http://www.chogm2013.lk/index.php/paricipant-info/venues/|archivedate=16 November 2013}}</ref>

==Summit==

===Official programme and agenda===
The official programme outlined a week of activities including three days of meetings for heads of government.<ref>{{cite web|title=Official Programme|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/Pressrelese/CHOGM-2013-Official%20Programme_FINAL.pdf|publisher=CHOGM 2013|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206072011/https://s3.amazonaws.com/Pressrelese/CHOGM-2013-Official%20Programme_FINAL.pdf|archive-date=6 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Discussions===
[[File:David Cameron in Jaffna.jpg|thumb|right|[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] [[David Cameron]] inspecting the burnt down printing press of ''Uthayan'' in Jaffna on 15 November with E. Saravanapavan, the managing director of the newspaper and a Member of Parliament representing Jaffna.]]
[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] [[David Cameron]] reiterated calls for an independent investigation into the alleged war crimes.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jivanda|first=Tomas|title=Sri Lanka dismisses David Cameron's call for independent human rights inquiry|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/sri-lanka-dismisses-david-camerons-call-for-independent-human-rights-inquiry-8944157.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/sri-lanka-dismisses-david-camerons-call-for-independent-human-rights-inquiry-8944157.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=16 November 2013|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Rowena|title=Sri Lanka defiant after Cameron calls for war crimes investigation|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/16/sri-lanka-david-cameron-war-crime-allegations|newspaper=[[The Observer]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref> "There needs to be proper inquiries into what happened at the end of the war, there needs to be proper human rights, democracy for the Tamil minority in that country" Cameron stated.<ref>{{cite news|last=Woodcock|first=Andrew|title=Sri Lanka: Cameron calls for war crimes inquiry|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/sri-lanka-cameron-calls-for-war-crimes-inquiry-1-3189795|newspaper=[[Scotland on Sunday]]|date=15 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Britain's Cameron faces protests in former Sri Lanka war zone |url=http://www.euronews.com/newswires/2205628-torture-claims-cast-shadow-over-sri-lankas-commonwealth-summit/ |newspaper=[[Euronews]] |date=15 November 2013 |author=Shihar Aneez |author2=Frank Jack Daniel |agency=[[Reuters]] |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232935/http://www.euronews.com/newswires/2205628-torture-claims-cast-shadow-over-sri-lankas-commonwealth-summit/ |archivedate=2 December 2013}}</ref> He stated that if this investigation wasn't completed by March 2014 he would press for an independent ''international'' inquiry.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cameron calls for war crimes inquiry in Sri Lanka|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24967501|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=16 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Britain gives Sri Lanka deadline on war crimes probe|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/britain-gives-sri-lanka-deadline-on-war-crimes-probe/article5358307.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=16 November 2013|agency=[[Deutsche Presse-Agentur]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=David Cameron puts Sri Lanka on notice over war crime allegations|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-17/an-david-cameron-puts-sri-lanka-on-notice-over-war-crime-allega/5097278|newspaper=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|date=17 November 2013|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref> This followed a visit to [[Jaffna Peninsula]], the first visit to northern Sri Lanka by a foreign leader.<ref>{{cite news|last=Robinson|first=Nick|title=Cameron in Northern Sri Lanka|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24954387|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=15 November 2013|author-link=Nick Robinson (journalist)}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Relatives of missing Tamils plead for PM to act|url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-11-15/relatives-of-missing-tamils-plead-for-pm-to-act/|newspaper=[[ITV News]]|date=16 November 2013}}</ref> Cameron was mobbed by demonstrators, mostly women, seeking his assistance in tracing [[missing person|missing relatives]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Doherty|first=Ben|title=Tamil protesters mob British Prime Minister in Jaffna|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/tamil-protesters-mob-british-prime-minister-in-jaffna-20131116-2xn4a.html|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=16 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Rowena|title=David Cameron's car surrounded by Sri Lankan protesters|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/nov/15/david-cameron-car-surrounded-sri-lankan-protesters-tamil|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=15 November 2013}}</ref> Cameron also said that he would have "tough conversations" with Rajapaksa.<ref name="AJ151113"/> In response to Cameron's pledge to push for a UN-led investigation into the alleged war crimes unless Sri Lanka credibly addressed human rights concerns by March 2014, Economic Development Minister [[Basil Rajapakse]] said: "Why should we have an international inquiry? We will object to it ... Definitely, we are not going to allow it."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/11/sri-lanka-says-it-will-block-un-rights-probe-20131116101510198752.html |title=Sri Lanka says it will block UN rights probe - Central & South Asia |publisher=Al Jazeera English |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> The Defence Secretary and another sibling of the President, [[Gotabhaya Rajapakse]] in a response, stated that "there were other countries such as Russia, China and Cuba at the UNHRC who would not support it." The defence minister also went on record to proclaim that the British Premier was 'siding' with the 'LTTE rump', and was mistakenly thinking that Sri Lanka was still a British colony.<ref name="gaz">{{cite web | url=http://colombogazette.com/2013/11/18/gota-slams-british-premier/ | title=Gota slams British Premier | work=Colombo Gazette| date=18 November 2013 | accessdate=19 November 2013 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203005126/http://colombogazette.com/2013/11/18/gota-slams-british-premier/ | archivedate=3 December 2013}}</ref>

In response to questions about the Government's use of torture, Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters that while his government "deplores the use of torture we accept that sometimes in difficult circumstances difficult things happen".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/abbott-s-torture-comment-sparks-response|title = Abbott's torture comment sparks response}}</ref>

The chair of the [[Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group]]{{who|date=November 2013}} briefed heads of government on the [[Maldivian presidential election, 2013|electoral crisis]] in the Maldives. The CMAG had, earlier in November, expressed its "deep disappointment" that the presidential election process had not concluded prior to the expiration of the president's term in office on 11 November 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thecommonwealth.org/media/press-release/statement-maldives-commonwealth-ministerial-action-group |title=Statement on Maldives by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group |publisher=The Commonwealth |date=2013-11-11 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> The CHOGM was expected to discuss how to deal with the situation on 16 November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/commonwealth-decides-to-wait-till-saturday-on-maldives-prez-issue-1232755.html |title=Commonwealth decides to wait till Saturday on Maldives prez issue |publisher=[[First Post (India)]] |date=2011-02-23 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref>

Canada and Australia blocked a proposal to establish a [[climate change]] fund, the Commonwealth Climate Change Risk Fund, named the Capital Green Fund, which would have assisted poorer countries dealing with the impact of [[global warming]].<ref name=aus>{{cite news|title=Australia, Canada block Commonwealth climate fund|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/australia-canada-block-commonwealth-climate-fund/story-fn59nm2j-1226762200075|accessdate=18 November 2013|newspaper=The Australian|date=18 November 2013}}</ref> The hereditary issue of leading the Commonwealth, however, did not appear to have been discussed formally and was not mentioned in the meeting's final communique.<ref name=communique>{{cite web|title=CHOGM 2013 Communiqué|url=https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/final-communique-and-statement/CHOGM+2013+Communique.pdf|publisher=CHOGM 2013|date=17 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-rejects-commonwealth-climate-change-risk-fund-20131118-2xplc.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Tony Abbott rejects Commonwealth climate change risk fund}}</ref>

In a speech given at a dinner held in honour of the government leaders, Prince Charles spoke in what ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' described as "a pitch for himself as the Queen's eventual successor as head of the organisation." He spoke of his personal attachment to the Commonwealth: "I feel very much part of the family. It's in my blood, I'm afraid. I have been brought up in the family and I think that what we are renewing here are those family ties, those family associations and family values. I feel proud and enormously privileged to be part of it all."<ref>{{cite news|last=Raynor, Daily Telegraph|first=Gordon|title=Prince Charles stakes claim for family job at the Commonwealth top table|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-prince-charles-stakes-claim-for-family-job-at-the-commonwealth-top-table-1919871|accessdate=18 November 2013|newspaper=DNA India|date=16 November 2013}}</ref>

====Outcomes====
[[Malta]] was chosen as the host of [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2015|CHOGM 2015]].<ref name=communique/><ref>{{cite news|title=Malta to host CHOGM 2015|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/38846-malta-to-host-chogm-2015.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]/[[The Times (Malta)]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Malta to host 2015 CHOGM summit|url=http://colombogazette.com/2013/11/17/malta-to-host-2015-summit/|newspaper=Colombo Gazette|date=17 November 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20131117113833/http://colombogazette.com/2013/11/17/malta-to-host-2015-summit/|archivedate=17 November 2013}}</ref> [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018|CHOGM 2018]] will be held in [[Vanuatu]] and [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2020|CHOGM 2020]] will be held in Malaysia.<ref name=communique/><ref>{{cite news|title=CHOGM headed to Malta|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/world/article.aspx?id=925347|newspaper=[[Sky News Australia]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref>

The final [[wikt:communique|communique]] was issued as the ''Colombo Declaration on Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Development'' and agreed that eradicating poverty and climate change are major challenges for all countries.<ref name=communique/><ref>{{cite web|title=Colombo Declaration on Sustainable, Inclusive and Equitable Development|url=http://thecommonwealth.org/media/news/colombo-declaration-sustainable-inclusive-and-equitable-development|publisher=[[Commonwealth of Nations]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref> Other agreements were made on the necessity for steps to tackle high debt and poverty. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the meetings were characterised by "fruitful discussions...I am happy with the outcome we have reached at this CHOGM."<ref name="abc.net.au">{{cite news|title=CHOGM 2013: Commonwealth leaders sign communiqué on poverty reduction and trade as talks close|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-18/commonwealth-leaders-sign-agreement-on-3f3f-as-chogm-closes/5097976|newspaper=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Commonwealth puts on united front|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/38854-commonwealth-puts-on-united-front.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]/[[Bangkok Post]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref> However, he also warned against an ultimatum to address war crimes allegation by March 2014 saying he would not be pushed "into a corner."<ref name=BP171113/><ref>{{cite news|title=Commonwealth shows united front after summit rifts|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2013/11/18/2003577154|newspaper=[[Taipei Times]]|date=17 November 2013|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=MR defies Cameron|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/38850-mr-defies-cameron.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref> Other discussions included the "core values" of democracy, rule of law, human rights, freedom of expression and religion, [[women's rights]], ridding corruption, transparency, natural resource management and taxation. It also mentioned the issues of small states, including [[Small Island Developing States]]; other global issues such as non-state terrorism, the [[Arms Trade Treaty]] and [[arms control]], [[war rape|sexual violence in conflict]], education, health and general social development. Specifically, the issues of [[Fiji]], [[Cyprus]], [[Belize]], [[Guyana]] and [[The Gambia]] were discussed. Wider issues of building partnership and networks within the Commonwealth were also discussed.<ref name=communique/>

==Controversy==

===Boycott===
{{See also|2013 Anti–Sri Lanka protests}}
[[File:Navin Ramgoolam Portrait 2014.jpg|thumb|200 px|[[Mauritius|Mauritian]] [[Prime Minister of Mauritius|Prime Minister]] [[Navin Ramgoolam]] was the third leader to boycott the summit over Sri Lanka's poor human rights record, and as a result, relinquished his country's bid to host the [[Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2015|next summit in 2015]].]]
There were significant calls from many bodies not to host the summit in [[Sri Lanka]] and to boycott the event, because of the country's alleged poor [[human rights]] record and reported atrocities against the [[Sri Lankan Tamil|Tamil]] population in the country.<ref name=ET/><ref name="TOI">{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-12/india/43979125_1_commonwealth-summit-arvin-boolell-chogm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115043915/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-12/india/43979125_1_commonwealth-summit-arvin-boolell-chogm | url-status=dead | archive-date=15 November 2013 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Mauritius joins India, refuses to send PM to Lanka for CHOGM | accessdate=14 November 2013}}</ref><ref name=TamilNet/>

[[Prime Minister of Canada]] [[Stephen Harper]] stated that he would not attend the meeting as a protest at Sri Lanka's alleged failure to improve [[Human rights in Sri Lanka|its human rights record]], as he said he would at the previous CHOGM; the Canadian Prime Minister had previously walked out of the 2011 summit during its last day when Sri Lankan President [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] was invited to speak.<ref name=star30>{{cite news|last=Cheadle|first=Bruce|title=Commonwealth leaders agree to develop charter of values and little else|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1078397--commonwealth-leaders-agree-to-develop-charter-of-values-and-little-else?bn=1|accessdate=30 October 2011|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=30 October 2011}}</ref> It was announced that [[Parliamentary Secretary]] for the [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada)|Minister of Foreign Affairs]] [[Deepak Obhrai]] would represent Canada.<ref name=Globe>{{cite news| url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/harper-scrubs-sri-lanka-visit-over-human-rights-violations/article14719839/| last=Clark| first=Campbell| title=Harper raises stakes by threatening to cut Commonwealth funding| date=7 October 2013| newspaper=The Globe and Mail| accessdate=8 October 2013| location=Toronto}}</ref> Harper further elaborated that Canada might cease its contributions to the funding of the Commonwealth should no action be taken by the organisation against Sri Lanka;<ref>{{cite web| last=Petrasek| first=David| title=Canada Should Play the Royal Card Against Sri Lanka's Government| url=http://cips.uottawa.ca/canada-should-play-the-royal-card-against-sri-lankas-government/| work=CIPSBlog| publisher=Centre for International Policy Studies, University of Ottawa| accessdate=17 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Commonwealth Asks Canada to Drop Sri Lanka Boycott| url=http://www.indocanadaoutlook.com/index.php/archives/2012/october-2012/358-commonwealth-asks-canada-to-drop-sri-lanka-boycott| accessdate=17 February 2013| date=October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/10/07/harper_makes_good_on_threat_to_boycott_sri_lanka_over_human_rights_violations.html| last=The Canadian Press| title=Stephen Harper cancels Sri Lanka visit over human rights violations| date=7 October 2013| newspaper=Toronto Star| accessdate=7 October 2013}}</ref> he cited the impeachment of the [[Chief Justice of Sri Lanka|country's chief justice]] and the execution and imprisonment of journalists and political opponents of [[President of Sri Lanka|President]] [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]].<ref name=Globe /> At the time, Senator [[Hugh Segal]], Canada's envoy to the Commonwealth, claimed that the [[Commonwealth Secretariat]] was acting "as a 'shill'" for Sri Lanka's government.<ref name=Globe />

In October 2013, the [[Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu]] passed a [[2013 Anti–Sri Lanka protests|unanimous resolution]] demanding that the Indian government boycott the meeting and also sought the temporary suspension of [[Sri Lanka]] from the Commonwealth until Sri Lanka takes steps to grant what they call similar rights to [[Sri Lankan Tamil|Tamils]] as those enjoyed by [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]].<ref name=ET>{{cite news| url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-24/news/43365926_1_sri-lankan-tamils-chogm-resolution| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027113617/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-24/news/43365926_1_sri-lankan-tamils-chogm-resolution| url-status=dead| archive-date=27 October 2013| title=TN Assembly passes resolution demanding CHOGM boycott| accessdate=27 October 2013 | work=The Times of India| date=24 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tamil-Nadu-govt-moves-resolution-demanding-Centre-to-boycott-CHOGM/articleshow/24646750.cms| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027102937/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-24/india/43362036_1_chogm-resolution-tamil-nadu| url-status=live| archive-date=27 October 2013| title=Tamil Nadu govt moves resolution demanding Centre to boycott CHOGM| access-date=27 October 2013 | work=[[The Times of India]]| date=24 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Tamil-Nadu-assembly-passes-resolution-demanding-India-boycott-Commonwealth-meeting/articleshow/24650700.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027090634/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-24/india/43361776_1_sri-lankan-tamils-resolution-eelam | url-status=live | archive-date=27 October 2013 | title=Tamil Nadu assembly passes resolution demanding India boycott Commonwealth meeting | access-date=27 October 2013 | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=24 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/tn-govt-urges-india-to-boycott-chogm-moves-resolution-113102400262_1.html | title=India should stay away from CHOGM: Tamil Nadu assembly | newspaper=Business Standard India | date=24 October 2013 | accessdate=27 October 2013| agency=Press Trust of India }}</ref> [[Prime Minister of India|Indian Prime Minister]] [[Manmohan Singh]] announced his decision not to participate in the event due to pressure from the regional Tamil party regarding Sri Lanka's alleged human rights record. External Affairs Minister [[Salman Khurshid]], who represented India at the summit in the prime minister's place, said: "The position we have taken is, it is not a boycott."<ref name="Washington Post">{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/indian-prime-minister-to-boycott-commonwealth-summit-in-sri-lanka-over-human-rights-issue/2013/11/10/d1e28016-49d1-11e3-b87a-e66bd9ff3537_story.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110081715/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/indian-prime-minister-to-boycott-commonwealth-summit-in-sri-lanka-over-human-rights-issue/2013/11/10/d1e28016-49d1-11e3-b87a-e66bd9ff3537_story.html | archive-date=10 November 2013 | title=Indian PM to boycott Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka over human rights issue, says official | newspaper=The Washington Post | accessdate=10 November 2013 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Prime Minister of Mauritius, [[Navin Ramgoolam]], stated that he would not attend the meeting as a protest at Sri Lanka's alleged failure to improve its human rights record<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_13B/Nov12_1384277518CH.php| title=Mauritius PM also to boycott CHOGM in Sri Lanka| accessdate=12 November 2013| archive-date=12 November 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112200419/http://www.colombopage.com/archive_13B/Nov12_1384277518CH.php| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24918261 | work=BBC News | title=Mauritian PM to join Sri Lanka Commonwealth summit boycott | date=12 November 2013}}</ref> and was thus withdrawing as the host of CHOGM 2015 as protocol would have required him to attend the summit in order to personally invite other member states. "I have made it perfectly clear that human rights are more important than hosting a Commonwealth summit, regardless of its importance."<ref>{{cite news|title=Cameron set to antagonise Commonwealth summit hosts again|url=https://news.yahoo.com/boycott-hit-commonwealth-summit-begins-sri-lanka-023140863.html
|accessdate=15 November 2013|newspaper=Yahoo News|date=15 November 2013}}</ref>

In the United Kingdom, the [[Foreign Affairs Select Committee]] called on that country's prime minister, [[David Cameron]], not to attend the meeting in light of Sri Lanka's human rights record. Cameron also expressed concern about human rights issues in the country.<ref name=AJ111113/> However, Cameron later affirmed that he would attend.<ref>{{cite news|title=David Cameron will defy boycott calls to attend Sri Lanka Commonwealth Summit|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/10036673/David-Cameron-will-defy-boycott-calls-to-attend-Sri-Lanka-Commonwealth-Summit.html|accessdate=10 May 2013|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=3 May 2013|location=London|first=Damien|last=McElroy}}</ref> The [[Channel 4]] documentary ''[[No Fire Zone]]'', which presented evidence of alleged war crimes by the [[Sri Lanka Armed Forces]], had resulted in increased calls for a boycott.{{citation needed|date=November 2013}}

In Malaysia, [[Lim Guan Eng]], Chief Minister of the state of [[Penang]], and the Secretary General of the [[Democratic Action Party]] called on the Malaysian government to boycott the summit as a protest against alleged human violations committed by the island republic against ethnic Tamils there.<ref name=TamilNet>{{cite web | url=http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=36773 | title=Penang Chief Minister calls for boycott of CHOGM in Colombo | accessdate=27 October 2013}}</ref> However, the Malaysian Prime Minister [[Najib Razak]] rejected{{citation needed|date=December 2014}} that and came to Colombo.

The [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|New Zealand Green Party]] also placed similar calls for a boycott and for the replacement of [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] as the Commonwealth Chairperson-in-office for the next two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=36753 |title=18.10.13 NZ Green MP urges Foreign Minister to change CHOGM chair |publisher=TamilNet |date=2013-10-18 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Andrea Vance |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9364734/Protest-over-Sri-Lankan-abuse |title=Amnesty International protest at Beehive over Sri... |publisher=Stuff.co.nz |date=2013-11-05 |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> However New Zealand Prime minister attended the meeting.

Similar views were floated by South African anti-Apartheid campaigner and Nobel laureate archbishop [[Desmond Tutu]] who suggested that the boycott of the CHOGM could be "one of the screws that the world has to apply to help the Tamil population."<ref name="RT">{{cite web | url=http://www.trust.org/item/20131107144349-hmguw/?source=hpeditorial&siteVersion=mobile | title=Reuters - Boycotting Commonwealth summit may help Sri Lankan Tamils - Tutu | accessdate=9 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gheddo |first=Piero |url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Desmond-Tutu-says-no-to-Commonwealth-meeting-to-stop-violations-in-Sri-Lanka-29495.html|title=Desmond Tutu says no to Commonwealth meeting to stop violations in Sri Lanka |publisher=[[AsiaNews]] |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> but South African President [[Jacob Zuma]] attended the meeting.

===Restrictions on media===
Prior to the start of the meeting the Sri Lankan government had given assurances that foreign media would be given free and full access.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka Committed to Providing Full Media Access for CHOGM 2013|url=http://news.lk/features/chogm-2013/5893-sri-lanka-committed-to-providing-full-media-access-for-chogm-2013|newspaper=news.lk|date=13 July 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102201234/http://news.lk/features/chogm-2013/5893-sri-lanka-committed-to-providing-full-media-access-for-chogm-2013|archivedate=2 January 2014}}</ref>

A team from [[Channel 4 News]], which had broadcast several video clips of Sri Lankan troops allegedly committing atrocities during the civil war, arrived at [[Bandaranaike International Airport]] on 11 November 2013 and were met by a group of pro-government demonstrators, despite a ban on demonstrations during CHOGM.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bastians|first=Dharisha|title=Channel 4 team greeted with protests on arrival|url=http://www.ft.lk/2013/11/12/channel-4-team-greeted-with-protests-on-arrival/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=12 November 2013|access-date=17 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223153/http://www.ft.lk/2013/11/12/channel-4-team-greeted-with-protests-on-arrival/|archive-date=2 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Paranahewa|first=Ashan|title=Protest against Callum Macrae|url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/16-47274-news-detail-protest-against-callum-macrae.html|newspaper=[[Ceylon Today]]|date=11 November 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112230804/http://ceylontoday.lk/16-47274-news-detail-protest-against-callum-macrae.html|archivedate=12 November 2013}}</ref> The Channel 4 News claimed that they were followed by state intelligence operatives throughout their visit to Sri Lanka.<ref name=ST171113/><ref>{{cite news|title=Channel 4 News returns to Sri Lanka|url=http://blogs.channel4.com/world-news-blog/channel-4-news-returns-sri-lanka/26354|newspaper=[[Channel 4 News]]|date=15 November 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131117035259/http://blogs.channel4.com/world-news-blog/channel-4-news-returns-sri-lanka/26354|archivedate=17 November 2013}}</ref> On 13 November 2013 the Channel 4 News team tried to get to [[Kilinochchi]] in northern Sri Lanka by train but a group of pro-government demonstrators blocked the railway line near [[Anuradhapura]].<ref>{{cite news|title=British TV crew blocked from reaching Sri Lanka's former war zone|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-srilanka-film-warcrime-idUSBRE9AC0NO20131113|newspaper=[[Reuters]]|date=13 November 2013|author=Shihar Aneez|author2=Ranga Sirilal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Channel 4 crew blocked from reaching Sri Lanka's former war zone|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1113/486452-sri-lanka/|newspaper=[[RTÉ News]]|date=13 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Protesters stop journalists from travelling in Sri Lanka|url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-11-13/protesters-stop-uk-journalists-from-travelling-in-sri-lanka/|newspaper=[[ITV News]]|date=13 November 2013}}</ref> Channel 4 News claimed that they had been followed on to the train by state intelligence operatives.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka: Fear and fury as leaders fly in for Commonwealth conference|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/fear-and-fury-in-sri-lanka-as-leaders-fly-in-for-commonwealth-conference-8937771.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/fear-and-fury-in-sri-lanka-as-leaders-fly-in-for-commonwealth-conference-8937771.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=13 November 2013|author=Cahal Milmo|author2=Oliver Wright|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Jonathan|title=Channel 4 News blocked by mob in Sri Lanka|url=http://blogs.channel4.com/miller-on-foreign-affairs/channel-4-news-blocked-mob-sri-lanka/454|newspaper=[[Channel 4 News]]|date=13 November 2013}}</ref> The team were forced into a van by police and driven back to Colombo.<ref name=C4171113>{{cite news|last=de Pear|first=Ben|title=Sri Lanka, 'impossible journalism' and Channel 4 News|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/channel-4-news-sri-lanka-mahinda-rajapaksa-chogm-summit|newspaper=[[Channel 4 News]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wickremasekara|first=Damith|title=Channel 4 TV crew agree to pay van charges|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131117/news/channel-4-tv-crew-agree-to-pay-van-charges-73662.html|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref> At 6.30am on 17 November 2013 six immigration officials visited the Channel 4 News crew at their hotel and warned them against violating the conditions laid down in their [[visa (document)|visa]]s.<ref>{{cite news|last=Farisz|first=Hafeel|title=Immigration officials warned C-4 crew prior to departure|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/top-story/38888-immigration-officials-warned-c-4-crew-prior-to-departure.html|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)]]|date=18 November 2013}}</ref> Channel 4 News left Sri Lanka later on 17 November 2013, earlier than planned, blaming intimidation and surveillance by Sri Lankan security forces.<ref name=C4171113/><ref>{{cite news|title=British news team leaves Lanka after harassment|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/british-news-team-leaves-lanka-after-harassment/article1-1152679.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118092726/http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/british-news-team-leaves-lanka-after-harassment/article1-1152679.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 November 2013|newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=18 November 2013|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=UK's Channel-4 team forced to pull out of Sri Lanka|url=http://news.oneindia.in/international/uk-s-channel-4-team-forced-pull-of-sri-lanka-1343317.html|newspaper=[[Oneindia.in]]|date=18 November 2013}}</ref>

A [[BBC News]] crew trying to film President Rajapaksa at a CHOGM event on 14 November 2013 were physically restrained by security officials.<ref>{{cite news|title=BBC TV crew held back at Sri Lanka Commonwealth event|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24935857|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=14 November 2013}}</ref> An [[Agence France-Presse]] trying to work in [[Mullaitivu District]] on 18 November 2013 were prevented from doing so by the military.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka military to probe blocking of foreign media|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/world/story/sri-lanka-military-probe-blocking-foreign-media-20131123|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Singapore)]]|date=23 November 2013|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Military to probe blocking of foreign media|url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/16-48266-news-detail-military-to-probe-blocking-of-foreign-media.html|newspaper=[[Ceylon Today]]|date=23 November 2013|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125001255/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/16-48266-news-detail-military-to-probe-blocking-of-foreign-media.html|archivedate=25 November 2013}}</ref>

===Restrictions on protests===
In October 2013 it was reported that the government was planning to ban all protests, marches and other demonstrations for three weeks in November, coinciding with CHOGM.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka: Banning Commonwealth summit protests a blatant attempt to silence criticism|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/news/sri-lanka-chogm-ban-protests-2013-10-10|publisher=[[Amnesty International]]|date=10 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SRI LANKA: The democracy is to be silenced and protest banned in the month of November for the CHOGM|url=http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-183-2013|publisher=[[Asian Human Rights Commission]]|date=10 October 2013}}</ref> The government denied the reports.<ref>{{cite news|title=No ban on protests during CHOGM - Govt|url=http://www.nation.lk/edition/breaking-news/item/21777-no-ban-on-protests-during-chogm-govt.html|newspaper=[[The Nation (Sri Lanka)]]|date=11 October 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191940/http://www.nation.lk/edition/breaking-news/item/21777-no-ban-on-protests-during-chogm-govt.html|archivedate=2 January 2014}}</ref> However, on 14 November 2013 the police obtained a court order preventing any protests during CHOGM.<ref>{{cite news|last=Edirisinghe|first=Dasun|title=Police obtain order restraining protests|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=92094|newspaper=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=15 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Court bans protests during CHOGM|url=http://www.ft.lk/2013/11/15/court-bans-protests-during-chogm/|newspaper=[[Daily FT]]|date=15 November 2013|access-date=17 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192916/http://www.ft.lk/2013/11/15/court-bans-protests-during-chogm/|archive-date=2 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A group of Tamils trying to travel to Colombo on 13 November 2013 to protest about disappeared relatives were prevented from doing so by the Sri Lankan military.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tamils stopped en route to Colombo before Commonwealth summit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24922934|newspaper=[[BBC News]]|date=13 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Colombo cracks down on protesters|url=http://www.arabnews.com/news/477031|newspaper=[[Arab News]]|date=14 November 2013|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref>

===Restrictions on travel===
The Civil Air Services Authority suspended all [[FitsAir]] flights to [[Jaffna Airport]] between 10 and 18 November 2013, allegedly to restrict foreign access to the north of the country.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ariyawansha|first=Niranjala|title=No private air travel to Jaffna for CHOGM|url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/51-47381-news-detail-no-private-air-travel-to-jaffna-for-chogm.html|newspaper=[[Ceylon Today]]|date=13 November 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116055026/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/51-47381-news-detail-no-private-air-travel-to-jaffna-for-chogm.html|archivedate=16 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Colombo suspends flights to Jaffna ahead of CHOGM|url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=36818|newspaper=[[TamilNet]]|date=12 November 2013}}</ref>

==Participants==
Of the 53 Commonwealth members, only 27 heads of government/state (nine presidents, 16 prime ministers, one sultan and one governor general) attended the meeting, the lowest in decades.<ref name=communique/><ref name=ST171113>{{cite news|last=Wijedasa|first=Namini|title=CHOGM-SHOWGM: Highs and lows of Govt.'s magnum opus|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131117/news/chogm-showgm-highs-and-lows-of-govt-s-magnum-opus-73694.html|newspaper=[[The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref> 22 other members sent other delegates such as foreign ministers, vice-presidents, deputy prime ministers and high commissioners.<ref name=ST171113/> Three members - Grenada, Kiribati and Maldives - did not attend and Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth.<ref>{{cite news|title=CHOGM, Channel 4 and the SL Editors' Guild|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=92238|newspaper=[[Sunday Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=17 November 2013}}</ref> The participants were:<ref>{{cite web|title=Commonwealth Countries Come Together in Sri Lanka for CHOGM 2013|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/Pressrelese/Documents%20&%20Press%20Releases/15-11-2013/CHOGM-PR-Opening-Ceremony%20-Nov-15.pdf|publisher=CHOGM 2013|date=15 November 2013}}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Jayasuriya|first=Ranga|title=Sri Lanka's moment in the limelight|url=http://www.ceylontoday.lk/59-47734-news-detail-sri-lankas-moment-in-the-limelight.html|newspaper=[[Ceylon Today]]|date=17 November 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610215231/http://www.ceylontoday.lk/59-47734-news-detail-sri-lankas-moment-in-the-limelight.html|archivedate=10 June 2015}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|+ '''Summary of participants'''
! Member
! Represented by
! Title
|-
| rowspan='2'|{{Country|Commonwealth of Nations}} || [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince Charles]] || [[Prince of Wales]]
|-
|[[Kamalesh Sharma]] || [[Commonwealth Secretary-General|Secretary-General]]
|-
| {{Country|Antigua and Barbuda}} || Carl Bertrand Westerby Roberts || High Commissioner
|-
| {{Country|Australia}} || [[Tony Abbott]] || [[Prime Minister of Australia|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Bahamas}} || [[Perry Christie]] || [[Prime Minister of the Bahamas|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Bangladesh}} || [[Sheikh Hasina]] || [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Barbados}} || [[Maxine Pamela Ometa McClean|Maxine McClean]] || Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
|-
| {{Country|Belize}} || Wilfred Peter Elrington || Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
|-
| {{Country|Botswana}} || Ontefetse Kenneth Matambo || Minister of Finance and Development Planning
|-
| {{Country|Brunei}} || [[Hassanal Bolkiah]] || [[Sultan of Brunei|Sultan]]
|-
| {{Country|Cameroon}} || Joseph Dion Ngute || Minister Delegate to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
|-
| {{Country|Canada}} || [[Deepak Obhrai]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/11/13/sri-lanka-accuses-canadian-government-of-placating-tamil-tigers-as-row-over-commonwealth-summit-grows/ |title=Sri Lanka accuses Canadian government of 'placating' Tamil Tigers as row over Commonwealth summit grows &#124; National Post |publisher=News.nationalpost.com |accessdate=2013-11-17}}</ref> || [[Parliamentary Secretary]] to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
|-
| {{Country|Cyprus}} || [[Nicos Anastasiades]] || [[President of Cyprus|President]]
|-
| {{Country|Dominica}} || Francine Barron || High Commissioner
|-
| {{Country|Fiji}} || Suspended || n/a
|-
| {{Country|Ghana}} || [[Kwesi Amissah-Arthur]] || [[Vice President of Ghana|Vice President]]
|-
| {{Country|Grenada}} || None || n/a
|-
| {{Country|Guyana}} || [[Donald Ramotar]] || [[President of Guyana|President]]
|-
| {{Country|India}} || [[Salman Khurshid]] || [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]]
|-
| {{Country|Jamaica}} || Arnold Nicholson || Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
|-
| {{Country|Kenya}} || [[Amina Mohamed]] || Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs
|-
| {{Country|Kiribati}} || None || n/a
|-
| {{Country|Lesotho}} || [[Tom Thabane]] || [[Prime Minister of Lesotho|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Malawi}} || [[Khumbo Kachali]] || [[Vice President of Malawi|Vice President]]
|-
| {{Country|Malaysia}} || [[Najib Razak]] || [[Prime Minister of Malaysia|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Maldives}} || None || n/a
|-
| {{Country|Malta}} || [[Joseph Muscat]] || [[Prime Minister of Malta|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Mauritius}} || [[Arvin Boolell]] || Minister of Foreign Affairs
|-
| {{Country|Mozambique}} || [[Oldemiro Balói]] || Minister of Foreign Affairs
|-
| {{Country|Namibia}} || [[Hifikepunye Pohamba]] || [[President of Namibia|President]]
|-
| {{Country|Nauru}} || [[Baron Waqa]] || [[President of Nauru|President]]
|-
| {{Country|New Zealand}} || [[John Key]] || [[Prime Minister of New Zealand|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Nigeria}} || [[Namadi Sambo]] || [[Vice President of Nigeria|Vice President]]
|-
| {{Country|Pakistan}} || [[Nawaz Sharif]] || [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Papua New Guinea}} || Leo Dion || Deputy Prime Minister
|-
| {{Country|Rwanda}} || [[Paul Kagame]] || [[President of Rwanda|President]]
|-
| {{Country|Saint Kitts and Nevis}} || [[Denzil Douglas]] || [[Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Saint Lucia}} || [[Alva Baptiste]] || Minister for External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation
|-
| {{Country|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}} || Cenio E. Lewis || High Commissioner
|-
| {{Country|Samoa}} || [[Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi]] || [[Prime Minister of Samoa|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Seychelles}} || [[James Michel]] || [[President of Seychelles|President]]
|-
| {{Country|Sierra Leone}} || [[Samura Kamara]] || Minister of Foreign Affairs
|-
| {{Country|Singapore}} || [[Lee Hsien Loong]] || [[Prime Minister of Singapore|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Solomon Islands}} || [[Gordon Darcy Lilo]] || [[Prime Minister of Solomon Islands|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|South Africa}} || [[Jacob Zuma]] || [[President of South Africa|President]]
|- style="font-weight:bold"
| {{Country|Sri Lanka}} || [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] || [[President of Sri Lanka|President]]
|-
| {{Country|Swaziland}} || [[Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini]] || [[Prime Minister of Swaziland|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Tanzania}} || [[Jakaya Kikwete]] || [[President of Tanzania|President]]
|-
| {{Country|Tonga}} || [[Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō]] || [[Prime Minister of Tonga|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Trinidad and Tobago}} || [[Winston Dookeran]] || Minister of Foreign Affairs
|-
| {{Country|Tuvalu}} || [[Iakoba Italeli]] || [[Governor General of Tuvalu|Governor General]]
|-
| {{Country|Uganda}} || [[Edward Ssekandi]] || [[Vice President of Uganda|Vice President]]
|-
| {{Country|United Kingdom}} || [[David Cameron]] || [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Vanuatu}} || [[Moana Carcasses Kalosil]] || [[Prime Minister of Vanuatu|Prime Minister]]
|-
| {{Country|Zambia}} || [[Guy Scott]] || [[Vice President of Zambia|Vice President]]
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130901184757/http://www.chogm2013.lk/ Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013]
*[http://www.chogm2013youthforum.org/ Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125181015/http://www.chogm2013youthforum.org/ |date=25 November 2013 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130930175414/http://www.cpf2013.org/ Commonwealth People's Forum 2013]

{{Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings}}

[[Category:2013 in international relations]]
[[Category:2013 in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings|2013]]
[[Category:Diplomatic conferences in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Foreign relations of the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:Human rights abuses in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka and the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:2010s in Colombo]]
[[Category:2013 conferences]]
[[Category:21st-century diplomatic conferences]]
[[Category:November 2013 events in Asia]]
[[Category:Protests in India]]