Tree planting Ceremony

Commonwealth Heads of Government today participated in a Tree Planting Ceremony in Mirijjawila Botanic Gardens in Hambantota. President Mahinda Rajapaksa seen here planting a ‘Neralu” Elaeocarpus Serratus tree, at the Tree Planting Ceremony. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Happy Birthday Prince Charles

Prince Charles received a plate with a slice of cake from President Mahinda Rajapaksa today while Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa looks on.   Prince Charles, who arrived in the country to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), celebrated his 65th birthday today. The President hosted him and the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker at Temple Trees. President’s Media

Video:Prince Charles is here

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall arrived in the island this evening to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo tomorrow. Pix and Video courtesy presidential media

Video: Sirikotha turns into a battle field

United National Party (UNP) headquarters Sirikotha turned into a battle field today when monks of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) led by its General Secretary Galagodatthe Gnanasara Thera tried to enter the premises, while an alternative “Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting” programme was in progress. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Kithsiri de Mel

MR, Sharma conduct pre-CHOGM press meet

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma held a press conference at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo this morning ahead of the commencement of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 on November 15-16, this week. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Roads closed today

Prince Charles turns 65

Foreign Ministers’ forum

A forum for Foreign Ministers of Commonwealth countries was conducted today at the BMICH, parallel to the CHOGM which is set to start on Friday. Seen here are delegates arriving at the venue. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Pradeep Pathirana

“Ape Gama” declared open

“Ape Gama” and the Laksala showroom complex which were constructed under the Divineguma programme were declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa today at Battaramulla. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Tense situation in Sirikotha

A tense situation was reported outside the UNP headquarters at Sirikotha today where a Human Rights Summit was scheduled to be held with the participation of relatives of those who have gone missing, when a group of people staged a protest outside the building. Pix by Nisal Baduge ???

Packer packs punch

Australian tycoon James Packer addressed the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) sessions today at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel. External Affairs Minister G.L. Pieris and Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva were also present at the event. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

MR invites me for tea

Jonathan Miller is seen pointing to an article published in today’s Daily Mirror. Protesters blocked the Vavuniya-bound train at Anuradhapura Railway Station to prevent him from going to the North this morning. Pix by Athula Bandara

Roads closed today

G.L., Sharma at a media conference

External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris and Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma spoke to journalists following the Commonwealth Ministerial Meeting on Small States held this afternoon. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will begin on Friday.  The meeting on Small States was a held in the run-up to the main event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: James packer attends Business Forum

Australian business tycoon James Packer, who is currently in the spotlight in connection with an up-market casino he intends setting up in Colombo, was among the business leaders, heads of states and other dignitaries who participated at the Commonwealth Business Forum sessions today at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Road closures in Colombo during CHOGM

Video: Demo against Callum Macrae

Channel-4 journalist Callum Macrae is seen addressing the media at the Bandaranaike International Airport today following a group calling itself the “Movement to Promote National Harmony” staging a protest over his presence in Sri Lanka. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: Complaint against Packer

A group of UNP MPs including Ruwan Wijewardene, Harsha de Silva and Ajith P. Perera today lodged a complaint with Police Headquarters against the Australian Business tycoon James Packer who is currently in Sri Lanka, to participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Business Forum.  Pix by Nisal Baduge

Fascinated

A foreign delegate who attended the Commonwealth (CHOGM) Youth Forum in Hambantota today tries to imitate the Kandyan dancers of the troupe that performed the welcome dance at the forum. Pic by Santha Ratnayake

Dengue eradication campaign

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) today conducted a dengue eradication campaign at Vihara Maha Devi Park. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Remembrance Day

Commemoration and Remembrance Day (Poppy Day) was organised by the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association held at the War Memorial at the Vihara Maha Devi Park today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

World's biggest wedding

Sri Lankan couple Nisansala and Nalin take a group photo during their wedding ceremony as they break the Guinness record for a wedding with the most bridesmaids for a bride in Negombo

City decoration

The bus halt outside the Fort railway station is seen removed to put up a new bus halt in line with the city decorations for the CHOGM. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Don’t privatise universities: IUSF protest

The Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) held a protest outsidethe Fort Railway Station today over the privatisation of universities and the violation of students’ rights. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

CHOGM rehearsals at Nelum Pokuna

Students were seen at rehearsals outside the Nelum Pokuna Theatre preparing for the welcoming ceremony of the Heads of Government who will attend the CHOGM to be held in Colombo next week. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Beautifying Town Hall ahead of CHOGM

The Civil Security Department (CSD) today added the finishing touches in beautifying Colombo City by planting bougainvillea along the roads leading to Town Hall ahead of the Commonwealth Week that is to begin next week. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: UNP protest Packer’s venture

United National Party (UNP) held a demonstration at the Fort Railway station this evening against the impending casino business venture in Colombo. The opposition by Buddhist religious leaders and some political parties led the government to announce on October 23 that it will alter tax concessions granted to Australian gambling tycoon James Packer's Crown Ltd for a $400 million hotel resort that will include a casino. Pix by Pradeep Pathir

Local Express Post System launched

A Local Express Post System commenced at the Postal Headquarters at D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo today. The Secretary to the Ministry of Postal Services Hemasiri Fernando hands over the first mail to the Postmaster General D.L.P. Rohana Abeyaratne to inaugurate occasion. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Kadirgamar Memorial Oration 2013

Lakshman Kadirgamar Memorial Oration 2013 organised by the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies was held today at the Foundation Institute. It was delivered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation Director General Dr. Francis Gurry. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Protest against casinos

National collective against casinos organised a protest today at the New Town hall against establishment of casinos in the country. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana