Spouses of Commonwealth Heads at Gangarama

Spouses of Commonwealth Heads of the Government and other delegates visited the Gangarama Temple today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Engrossed in conversation

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, seen in a conversation at the ‘Seventh Commonwealth Federation Sports Breakfast’ at Waters Edge in Battaramulla today. Pix by presidential media unit

Miss France 2014 contestants in SL

Thirty three contestants who qualified for the Miss France 2014 Finale along with reigning Miss France Marine Lorphelin who is also the first runner up in 2013 Miss World arrived in Sri Lanka today on a tour. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Roads closed today

Elephants also play a part

Elephants bearing national flags of Commonwealth member-countries welcomed each of the representatives as they walked into the BMICH today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Macrae faces another obstacle

Channel-4 journalist Callum Macrae is seen speaking to the media after he was refused entrance to this evening’s media briefing at the BMICH at which president Mahinda Rajapaksa was also present. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

MR showing the way

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen conducting His Royal Highness Prince Charles to his seat prior to the start of the inaugural session of the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at Nelum Pokuna Theatre this morning. Pix by presidential media unit

Chairing another ' chair'

CHOGM executive session 1 was held at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Center under the chairmanship of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The CHOGM inauguration was held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre this morning. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Deyata Sevana

Chief Justice Mohan Peris today planted a Gooseberry (Nelli) sapling at the premise of the Supreme Court to mark the ‘Deyata Sevana’ National Tree-Planting Day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Taking over

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya is seen signing a document after assuming duties as the Chairman of the party’s Leadership Council at the UNP headquarters ‘Sirikotha’ today. UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and General Secretary Tissa Attanayake are also present. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

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