Queen Elizabeth II will ceremonially head the meeting starting today. The Heads of 53 states and delegates comprising around 3,000 will attend the meeting which will be chaired by Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta.

The Sri Lankan President, the current Chair-in-Office, will hand over his position to Prime Minister of Malta, at meeting.

Meanwhile the CHOGM is examining the potential candidates for the post of Secretary-General for the 53-member association. Dr kamlesh Sharma will complete his tenure with the CHOGM 2015.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Southern Development, Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayaka arrived in Malta on Tuesday to attend other Commonwealth events, which commenced early this week. The Commonwealth Foreign Ministers meeting, attended by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, will discuss issues of concern to member states, such as violent extremism and radicalisation and challenges facing small states, and review developments in the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Business Forum, which draws the attention of business and economic circles across the world, commenced yesterday), will bring together together 1,300 business leaders from 75 countries.

The theme of the current session’s business forum was “Creating a more prosperous Commonwealth.”

The Prime Minister of Malta opened the Forum on Tuesday. Minister Sagala Ratnayaka, who attended the Commonwealth Business Forum representing the Sri Lankan government, send a large number of emerging businessmen from Sri Lanka took part in this year’s forum.

Speakers at the Forum will include the Prince of Wales, Akinwumi Ambode, Executive Governor of Lagos States, Lord Maude, UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment, and Paul Manduca, Chairman of Prudential.