Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See has called on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The meeting has taken place at Temple Trees, the Office of the Prime Minister said.

Rev. Monsignor Roberto Lucchini, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Holy See in Colombo and Rev. Monsignor Tomislav Zubac, the Second Secretary of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See also attended the meeting.

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See arrived in Sri Lanka last morning (03). 

Archbishop Gallagher will remain in Sri Lanka until November 8, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The visit is undertaken at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Holy See.

During the visit, Archbishop Gallagher will also call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

A special commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations will be held in Colombo, where Archbishop Gallagher will deliver an address.

The programme will include visits to sites of cultural and religious significance across the country including churches affected by the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019, the Ministry added further.