The President accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa participated in the diamond jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II in London.

The President and the First Lady met the queen at a lunch hosted by the Commonwealth heads of state in honor of the Queen on Wednesday.

During his visit he met the British Prime Minister David Cameron and the Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma at a reception hosted by the Secretary General.

Following his visit to London, the President had an audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict at Vatican. He also participated in Vesak celebrations organized by the Sri Lankans in Rome.