Dressed in bright red pants, a flowing white top and pretty sandals, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie lounges luxuriously on the cushions under the shade of a large tree in the GLF cafe. Despite her laid back air, it would be a mistake to underestimate Adichie – she’s tougher than she looks. In her first session, a panel discussion that kick-started the Galle Literary Festival, the award winning Nigerian author put up an eloquent defence of a fellow panellist and won a prolonged round of applause from the crowd.

As they straggle in, the devotions in this place of worship have already begun. The devotions are to Mary, considered the most important human being in the Roman Catholic Church. She is next to the divine Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – for she was the ‘Chosen One’, through whom God became Man. She is the mother of Jesus Christ, lovingly called “Our Lady” by millions of Catholics across the globe.