President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was received at an audience by His Holiness Pope Francis last morning extended an invitation to His Holiness to visit Sri Lanka in January next year.

pic via: facebook.com/VaticanRadioEnglish

President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa who arrived at the Vatican last morning were received with honour by Head of Vatican Protocol Office, Msgr. Jose Avelino Bettencourt.

The traditional Swiss Guards of the Vatican formed a Guard of Honour accorded to the President. Later the President, First Lady and members of the Sri Lanka delegation were escorted to the Apostolic Palace where President Rajapaksa had his audience with His Holiness at the special audience hall of the Palace.

At the cordial discussions between the President and His Holiness, President Rajapaksa informed His Holiness of the progress made in resettling internally displaced persons, the rehabilitation and reintegration of former combatants, the return of child soldiers recruited by the LTTE to their parents, progress made in the clearing of landmines, infrastructure development and progress made in health, education, power supply and similar progress made since the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka.

His Holiness was further told of the country being directed towards rapid economic progress and the steps being taken to build national unity. The elections held in the Northern Provincial Council was cited as an example for the restoration of democracy that had been destroyed due to terrorism.

The President informed His Holiness that although certain groups spread wrong information on the issue, members of all religions in Sri Lanka live in friendship and harmony.

His Holiness the Pope expressed his gratitude to the President for explaining the current situation in Sri Lanka, and said he was eagerly awaiting a visit to Sri Lanka.

After the meeting with His Holiness President Rajapaksa had a brief discussion with His Eminence Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State and Prime Minister of the Holy See.

The President was due to meet Sri Lankan expatriates later in the day.

Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, State Resources and Enterprise Development Minister Dayasritha Tissera, Social Services Minister Felix Perera, External Affairs Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development Minister Anthony Victor Perera, External Affairs Ministry Monitoring MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga, and External Affairs Ministry Secretary Kshenuka Senewiratne are accompanying the President during this tour.

Courtesy:Daily News