The Colombo Plan, the first international organisation for the Asia-Pacific region, marked its 72nd anniversary  and a cocktail reception was held at the  Galle Face Hotel to  commemorate it. Bandula Gunawardane, Minister of  Transportation and Highways, and Minister of Mass Media graced the occasion as the  Chief Guest. Among those present were many Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and representatives from the United Nations and its specialised agencies as well as  senior officials from public and private sector organisations, NGOs, and media persons.
As a part of the celebrations, the  third edition of the Colombo Plan coffee table book was  launched.