President to attend Commonwealth Day Observances today

President Maithripala Sirisena, as the Chair in Office of the Commonwealth, will attend the Commonwealth Day Observances, themed ‘A Young Commonwealth’, today (09). 

The day’s events will take place in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; Head of the Commonwealth, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, members of the Royal Family and senior politicians, High Commissioners, and Commonwealth dignitaries, the Government Information Department said.

The President will participate in a multi-faith Observance at Westminster Abbey in London, UK, followed by a reception hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, at the Commonwealth Secretariat in Marlborough House, London.

In his four-day official visit to UK, President Sirisena is expected to hold talks with the British Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron. President Sirisena will meet with members of All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sri Lanka (APGSL) and All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT) at the House of Lords.

The President will have an audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday. As is customary, the President will also meet with the Sri Lankan community in the United Kingdom before conclusion of the visit. Minister of 

External Affairs Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, Deputy Minister Mr. Ajith P. Perera, Presidential Adviser on International Affairs Dr. Chris Nonis and many senior government officials are accompanying the President.

President Maithripala Sirisena and First Lady Jayanthi Sirisena arrived in London by a scheduled commercial flight, March 7, 2015, beginning a four-day official visit the United Kingdom. At the London Heathrow International Airport, the Baroness Garden of Frognal and Sri Lanka’s Acting High Commissioner in London received the President.