Prime Minister John Key has arrived in Sri Lanka and will spend the day in a round of meetings with other leaders, including Prince Charles tonight.
Mr Key, his wife Bronagh and son Max were met by dancers before the motorcade took them toward the new motorway built especially to usher the leaders quickly into central Colombo.
Much of the focus of the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting has been on the human rights record of the host country, Sri Lanka.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has been especially critical in the lead up to the meeting and Sri Lanka had responded angrily.
Mr Key said he would discuss the issue with Mr Cameron tonight.
