Prince Charles hosts St. James’ palace reception prior to CHOGM visit

Saturday, 9 November 2013 05:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Prince Charles hosted a reception at St. James’s Palace for members of Britain’s Sri Lankan and Indian communities to mark the royal couple’s tour of India and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK Dr. Chris Nonis was joined by India’s Acting High Commissioner to the UK, Virendra Paul, at the Palace to extend a ceremonial welcome to the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Dr. Chris Nonis said, “The President and people of Sri Lanka extend a warm welcome to Their Royal Highnesses, and look forward very

much to their visit. We also take this opportunity to congratulate Prince Charles on the birth of his first grandchild, Prince George.” The guests at the event included prominent British Asians from a variety of sectors. Amongst the Sri Lankan guests were Niranjan Deva-Aditya, MEP, Member of the European Parliament; Professor Sir Arulkumaran Sabaratnam, FRCS, FRCOG, President of the British Medical Association; Professor Ravi Silva, Professor of Engineering, Surrey University; Harendra De Silva, Q.C. President, Sri Lankan Lawyers Association; Councillor Nizam Ismail; Sir Desmond De Silva QC, PC; Suran Goonetileke, OBE. Prince Charles last visited India to represent the Queen at the Commonwealth Games in 2010, and he has visited Sri Lanka on two previous occasions, in 1998 at the celebration of Sri Lanka’s Independence, and in 2005, a few months following the tsunami. On this occasion, Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla will arrive in Sri Lanka on 14 November, on Prince Charles’ 65th birthday. The heir to the throne will represent the Queen at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2013), which commences on 15 November. Dr. Chris Nonis added: “Prince Charles has a strong interest in charitable work, and two of his charities are already working in Sri Lanka on youth entrepreneurship and sustainable development projects, and the CHOGM theme ‘Growth with Equity; Inclusive Development’ has a particular relevance.”