President leaves for UK
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ms Rajapaksa left for Britain last night to attend the diamond jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth, Spokesman for the President's office said today.
He said President Rajapaksa was among the special invitees to the celebrations.
During his visit to London, President Rajapaksa and Ms Rajapaksa will attend a Reception at Buckingham Palace and the concert, Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, a Reception at Guildhall and a lunch hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary General Kamlesh Sharma in honour of the Queen, spokesman Bandula Jayasekara said.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa will make a Special address at the Commonwealth Economic Forum organized by the Commonwealth Business Council and the City of London.
In Vatican, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ms Rajapaksa will have an audience with his Holiness the Pope. President Rajapaksa will have a one to one meeting with His Holiness at the Papal Library. While in Rome, President Mahinda Rajapaksa will take part in Vesak celebrations organized by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Rome at the FAO headquarters.