Another project for Rajapaksa - (Photos)

Dozens of safron-robed Buddhist monks chant prayers aboard a former troop-carrier vessle, the Jetliner, as it sails into the newly-built Chinese-funded port in Hambantota on November 18, 2010. Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapakse opened today a Chinese-funded port seen as a flagship project for the island's economic recovery after decades of ethnic conflict. On the eve of his formal inauguration for a second term, Rajapakse, who turned 65 , watched cargo being unloaded from the the first vessel to enter the port in the southern town of Hambantota.

Workers unload cargo from the first vessel to enter the newly-built Chinese-funded port in Hambantota on November 18, 2010. Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapakse opened today a Chinese-funded port seen as a flagship project for the island's economic recovery after decades of ethnic conflict. On the eve of his formal inauguration for a second term, Rajapakse, who turned 65 Thursday, watched cargo being unloaded from the the first vessel to enter the port in the southern town of Hambantota.

Dozens of safron-robed Buddhist monks chant prayers aboard a former troop-carrier vessle, the Jetliner, as it sails into the newly-built Chinese-funded port in Hambantota on November 18, 2010. Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapakse opened today a Chinese-funded port seen as a flagship project for the island's economic recovery after decades of ethnic conflict. On the eve of his formal inauguration for a second term, Rajapakse, who turned 65 , watched cargo being unloaded from the the first vessel to enter the port in the southern town of Hambantota.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse smiles as workers upload cargo on a vessel during the opening of the newly-built Chinese-funded port in Hambantota on November 18, 2010. Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapakse opened today a Chinese-funded port seen as a flagship project for the island's economic recovery after decades of ethnic conflict. On the eve of his formal inauguration for a second term, Rajapakse, who turned 65, watched cargo being unloaded from the the first vessel to enter the port in the southern town of Hambantota.

Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapakse (C) flanked by his eldest son and parliamentarian Namal Rajapakse (R) and Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne (L) walks past the wall of the Chinese-funded port in Hambantota on November 18, 2010. Sri Lanka's president Mahinda Rajapakse opened today a Chinese-funded port seen as a flagship project for the island's economic recovery after decades of ethnic conflict. On the eve of his formal inauguration for a second term, Rajapakse, who turned 65, watched cargo being unloaded from the the first vessel to enter the port in the southern town of Hambantota.