January 16, London, UK (LNW): The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom, Rohitha Bogollagama, paid a gracious courtesy call on the Archbishop of Canterbury, Right Reverend Justin Welby, on 11 January 2024 at the Lambeth Palace in London. the Sri Lankan High Commission in London said in a statement today (16).
Prior to their meeting, an Anglican paternity led by the Archbishop convened at the St-Mary-at-Lambeth church, offering prayers for the well-being of Sri Lanka.
During their interaction, High Commissioner Bogollagama and Archbishop Welby delved into the historical significance of the Church of Ceylon, established in 1845 as an extra-provincial jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The discussion extended to exploring proposed reforms for the Church of Sri Lanka.
Archbishop Welby fondly recalled his visit to the Temple of the Tooth Relic during his tour to Sri Lanka in 2019.
In turn, High Commissioner Bogollagama provided a comprehensive briefing on the Buddhist heritage and the evolution of Buddhist institutions in Sri Lanka.
The dignitaries engaged in an extensive dialogue covering various facets relevant to Sri Lanka, including the country’s current economic and political landscape, international relations, economic ties between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka, and the ongoing reconciliation process.
Archbishop Welby expressed the opinion that an effective reconciliation process must emanate from within the relevant community.
Archbishop Justin Welby, serving as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury since 2013, holds the esteemed position of being the Primate of All England and the symbolic head primus inter pares of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
The High Commission of Sri Lanka looks forward to continued collaboration and strengthened ties between Sri Lanka and the Church of England.
