Sri Lanka says no Rolls Royce at CHOGM

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka today said it has no plans to import BMW and Rolls Royce cars for CHOGM summit with the opposition saying that high end vehicles would be a wasteful expenditure.


External Affairs Ministry's response as opposition claimed that high end Rolls Royce and BMW limousines would be imported for the summit.

Acting government spokesman and Minister Anura Yapa refuted the claims saying, "We will not import any Rolls Royce cars. We will use cars from the government's existing fleet."

"Media reports and statements by interested parties, that Rolls Royce and BMW cars will be imported at a heavy cost to be used for the forthcoming CHOGM are baseless and fictitious".

The main opposition UNP claimed that Rolls Royce and BMW cars are to be imported for CHOGM in wasteful expenditure.

External Affairs ministry said the Commonwealth Business Forum, a side event which attracts extensive participation both from within and outside the Commonwealth, will serve as a springboard for Sri Lanka to promote trade and investment and further enhance economic cooperation.

The 54 nation event is to be hosted by Sri Lanka despite calls from international rights groups to change the venue in the light of human rights accountability record of the island.