January 17, Colombo (LNW): In a significant diplomatic encounter, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom, Rohitha Bogollagama, recently paid a courtesy call on the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rt. Rev. Justin Welby, at the historic Lambeth Palace in London. The meeting began with Anglican clergy, led by the Archbishop, offering prayers at the St-Mary-at-Lambeth Church for the well-being and salvation of Sri Lanka.
During their discussions, both the High Commissioner and the Archbishop delved into the rich history of the Church of Ceylon, established in 1845 as an extra-provincial jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury. They exchanged views on proposed reforms for the Church of Sri Lanka, highlighting the enduring connection between the two ecclesiastical bodies.
Recalling his visit to Sri Lanka in 2019, Archbishop Justin Welby shared memories of his experience at the Temple of the Tooth Relic. The High Commissioner, in turn, provided insights into Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage and the evolution of Buddhist institutions in the country. The conversation between the two dignitaries expanded to cover a range of topics relevant to Sri Lanka, including the nation’s current economic and political situation, its international relations, and the United Kingdom’s economic ties with Sri Lanka.
Of particular note was the extensive dialogue on the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka. The Archbishop expressed his opinion that an effective reconciliation process must originate from within the relevant community to ensure its success.
Archbishop Justin Welby, serving as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury since 2013, holds the position of Primate of All England and serves as the symbolic head primus inter pares of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
