November 04, Colombo (LNW): Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, has met with Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya during his official visit to Sri Lanka. The discussion took place at Temple Trees, the Prime Minister’s official residence, according to a statement from her office.
He was accompanied by Rev. Monsignor Roberto Lucchini, Chargé d’Affaires of the Holy See’s Embassy in Colombo, and Rev. Monsignor Tomislav Zubac, Second Secretary of the Vatican Secretariat of State.
Archbishop Gallagher arrived in the country on November 03 and is scheduled to remain until 8 November, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His visit comes at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, to mark half a century of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Holy See.
During his stay, the Archbishop is expected to meet with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and take part in a special commemorative event in Colombo celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. He is also set to deliver an address at the ceremony, which will highlight the enduring partnership between the Vatican and Sri Lanka.
In addition to official engagements, Archbishop Gallagher’s itinerary includes visits to culturally and spiritually significant sites across the island, including churches impacted by the Easter Sunday attacks of 2019, as part of efforts to express solidarity and strengthen interfaith dialogue.
