President Mahinda Rajapaksa met Pope Francis 1 at the Apostolic Palace on Friday (03) and formally presented an invitation to Pope Francis to visit Sri Lanka.

During their meeting the Pope and the President discussed the situation in Sri Lanka, with particular reference to recent social and economic progress. His Holiness Pope Francis during the discussion has expressed his eagerness to visit Sri Lanka.

President also held talks with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

A large group representing various associations of Sri Lankans living in Europe met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Hotel Cavalieri in Rome on Friday (3) and extended their fullest cooperation to the President’s efforts to take the country forward. They said that President’s leadership is needed in the future as well for the country’s peace, stability, development and national reconciliation.

Sri Lankans living in European Union countries such as UK, France, Germany, Norway and Switzerland were among the group. The group comprised of Buddhist and Catholic religious leaders, Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities, Sri Lanka Freedom Party supporters as well as supporters of other political parties.

 
The President also launched the website of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party European Union Branch office.

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