With some countries like Britain and Canada seeking to bring alleged human rights violations in the Sri Lankan civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam under the scanner during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting summit, President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday asked member nations not to turn the Commonwealth into a "punitive and judgmental" body and desist from introducing bilateral agendas.
Who were they? What led them to mass murder?
Here's a glimpse of all that happened around the world last week, in 14 images.
Seeking to strengthen Indo-UK economic ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday arrived in Britain on his first visit to the country during which he will have a hectic schedule that will start with talks with his British counterpart David Cameron.
India and the United Kingdom are set to sign a "package of deliverables" during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit here that will also see discussions over cooperation in sectors like nuclear energy and defence.
India's dominance went uncontested for the fifth successive day at the 12th South Asian Games, as its shooters, wushu players and track-and-field athletes annihilated competition to sweep most of the gold medals up for grabs, in Guwahati, on Wednesday.
Usain Bolt is determined to concrete his legacy by capping eight years of sprint dominance by defending his 100, 200 and 4x100 metres relay titles in Rio in what he has said will be his final Olympics.
India and the United States have started discussions to jointly develop a next-generation aircraft carrier to bolster the Indian Navy's blue-water capabilities, a top Pentagon official has said.
From her thoughts on a black woman becoming First Lady to marital struggles with her husband Barack, Michelle Obama hasn't held back in her memoir, which is being praised as honest and telling, Becoming.
Check out these nine more models who will storm the runway in sexy lingerie.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said bilateral cooperation in defence manufacturing would be the "prime focus" of his visit to the United Kingdom.
They bent rules. Shut down haters. And inspired many with their successes. Let them inspire you too!
As the teachers began gaining confidence, it also drew the attention of other women in the community, leading to greater demand for teaching jobs.
No one on that glittery occasion could possibly have imagined that the Chinese were conspiring to invade India, nor could anyone have predicted that the seemingly benign Dalai Lama was plotting to flee Tibet and seek asylum in India. A fascinating excerpt from Sukanya Rahman's must-read Dancing In The Family: The Extraordinary Story Of The First Family Of Indian Classical Dance.
Vroom! Indonesia president a hit on social media after motorbike stunt
As serious doubts remain over Michael Clarke's participation in the first Test against India, Steven Smith is being seen by many as a front-runner to lead Australia in the regular skipper's absence.
Afghan forces ended the assault after 10 hours of gunfire.
Sukanya Verma recaps all the action at this year's MAMI.
Carrie Fisher, who made Star Wars character Princess Leia so popular, passed into the ages on December 28
These girls are so H-O-T you just can't take your eyes off them!
Indian sportspersons will be deprived of a chance to hold the Queen's Baton of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and run in the relay on October 12-13 in a solemn ceremony as Indian Olympic Association on Thursday decided to make the ceremony a low-key affair due to lack of security arrangements.
The weekly fashion round-up, where we bring you the latest on supermodels, style, designers and everything in between.
.. And other memorable couple outings at Cannes Film Festival.
'As you trek back down the centuries, returning to myth and legend, to stories told by people gone for hundreds of years who had the same fears and hopes as you, who hoped that their future, the world you inhabit, would be a kinder and happier place, you understand that there will never be an end to the exploring,' says Nilanjana S Roy.
The emperor has no political power, yet he enjoys a unique place in Japanese society, notes Dr Rajaram Panda.
Lifestyle brand Victoria's Secret's annual list of What Is Sexy features actors, singers and an athlete.
Follow these 5 tips to deliver a killer presentation.
He is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers of the modern era. Extreme pace with the ability to swing the ball both ways makes Dale Steyn a complete pacer. The South African speedster reflects on his 11-year old career at the international stage. How did the dream of playing cricket begin for you and when did it start taking shape? I was about 10 or so when I first came in contact with cricket. I was visiting my family in Zimbabwe and played the game in the backyard. And I remember when I got back to school after the vacations in January, everyone seemed to be playing this crazy sport called cricket. I joined the party and since then there has been no looking back. Why fast bowling? I did everything when I was growing up. I was an opening batter in primary school, but fast bowling was one thing that I was always better at than anybody else. I started playing Men's club cricket at a very young age. I was like this little 14-year old playing against full grown men who were 25 years and upwards. You know, you start to get this confidence that you can get grown men out. Your own teammates fill you up with a lot of confidence when they see you get a great batsman out. I was lucky enough to be a part of the Northern Titan Cricket Academy. This was the same time when the 2003 World Cup was on and I got a chance to bowl to all the international pros who came for practice, made them jump around a little bit and built confidence from there.
London Fire Brigade fire fighters worked through the night to try and account for whole families that are still missing in the huge fire at the Grenfell Tower on the Lancaster West Estate in Latimer Road.
'Having the means to and not taking your child to watch the film will be considered parental harassment, warns Paloma Sharma after watching The Lego Movie.
The idea that Hindus are peace-loving and reticent is modern, says Aakar Patel.
'The monumental first Modi wrought in 2014, followed by the miracle in Uttar Pradesh, is not a matter for celebration, but an ominous warning of the perils ahead.' 'There are 5 areas which Modi has to address immediately and relentlessly if he has to live up to all that the people are taking him for,' says B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.
'Pratchett's work mocked the very idea of literary limitations, going from police procedural in one book to Christmas adventure in the next, from vampires to football, from the birth of motion pictures to the examining of religion itself.'
The American university, once the envy of the world, is in crisis, notes Ajit Balakrishnan in his latest column.
Culinary legend Satish Arora hangs up his apron after almost 5 decades of service at the Taj group of hotels.
Chaos and controversy rock the 2016 Republican national convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
'I can tell you the case that hurts me the most is the one in which the little boy is forced to sign the Kohinoor over.' 'You take a mother away from a child, you surround him with grown ups speaking a different language, you tell him he must sign this over or else...'
The company has done a lot to promote 'Open Happiness'.
Anjana Reddy explores the market for home-grown Indian celebrity fashion brands at affordable prices.
Om Puri, notes Arthur J Pais/Rediff.com, has given one of the most endearing performances of his career in producers Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey and director Lasse Hallstrom's new film, The Hundred-Foot Journey