The Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013 kicks off

Flags representing Commonwealth member countries. 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka gives his opening remarks during the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013 Opening Ceremony.  The Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013 runs from 10th through 14th November 2013 in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.  

The Commonwealth Secretary-General presents opening remarks at the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013 Opening Ceremony, Hambantota, Sri Lanka.  

Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013 Opening Ceremony, Hambantota Sri Lanka 

Some entertainment.

Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013 Opening Ceremony, Hambantota, Sri Lanka 

Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013 Opening Ceremony, Hambantota, Sri Lanka. 

Some members of audience during the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013 Opening Ceremony. 

From left to right: Layne Robinson of the Commonwealth Secretariat Youth Affairs Division; Commonwealth Youth Worker Award Pacific Regional Winner Joanne Dorres; Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba; Africa Regional Winner Nelly Shella Tchaptcheut Yonga; Asia Regional Winner Priyadharshanie Ariyaratne; Caribbean Regional Winner Alex Foster; and Katherine Ellis, Director of the Commonwealth Secretariat Youth Affairs Division.

Group photo of President Mahinda Rajapaksa of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka together with the Commonwealth Secretariat during the Commonwealth Youth Forum 2013 Opening Ceremony that was held on 10th November 2013 in Hambantota, Sri Lanka. 

All photos courtesy of the Commonwealth Secretariat.